CEM REPORT | After releasing the draft of the Code of Practice for social media and the internet, on Monday June 13, 2022, with the promise that Nigerians will be given the opportunity to review and contribute to it, the National Development Agency (NITDA) has opened a channel for Nigerians to send their views and thoughts on the daft.
The federal government agency via its Twitter handle twitted that stakeholders should send their comments to its email: info@nitda.gov.ng on or before 11:59pm Friday 24th June 2022.
“DEAR ESTEEMED STAKEHOLDERS
Kindly submit your comments on Draft Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms) to info@nitda.gov.ng on or before 11:59pm Friday 24th June, 2022.
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) June 17, 2022″
This comes five days after the NITDA released the draft regulatory document titled: ‘Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria’
Several stakeholders have been speaking against the Code, which seeks to regulate social media blogs and online publications. Specifically, African digital rights group, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), described the Code as a tool for the abuse of constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerian citizens, Nairametrics report.
Meanwhile, other Nigerians have said the regulation is just a way to cripple the youth especially towards the fourth coming election.
In an interview with a social media influence who choose to remain off books said,
“their plan is simply to cripple people from talking and posting video so they can rig elections.”
Explaining, the influencer said “the security of social media is getting away with anything but with that out of the way nobody will want to post videos of police harassment or video at polling stations as a court order could demand it to be taken down.”
Recall that CEM reported that the National Development Agency (NITDA) release a Draft of the code of conduct for social platforms.
The agency said the instruction to create the code came from tye president adding that the code will ensure strict adherence to Nigerian laws.
