Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)
says the national assembly’s fascination with regulating the social media is
disturbing.
In a statement on Monday,
Idongesit Ikanga, PANDEF’s national chairman, said the national assembly must
exercise caution in its handling of the social media and hate speech bills.
A week after the senate
introduced a bill to regulate social media, the senate reintroduced another
bill seeking to establish a commission for the prohibition hate speech in the
country.
“Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF
condemns the Hate Speech Bill currently before the Senate of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, and calls on the Senate to throw out the Bill in the
interest of national peace and stability, without further delay,” the national
chairman said.
“The Bill is also a gross
violation of press freedom, and presents a clear danger to the nation’s
democracy.
“We are in a constitutional
democracy, as such, nothing should be done by the National Assembly to muzzle
citizens who have opinions that may be at variance with the views of people in
the corridors of power.
“While PANDEF recognizes that
fake news and related issues, especially on social media, are global
challenges, we strongly disagree with proponents of the Bill that hanging of
Citizens who express opinions that may be considered offensive is the answer to
nation’s problems.
“We therefore implore members of
the National Assembly to exercise caution and restraint in their fascinations
over checking the abuse of social media.
“Human life has an inherently
sacred attribute that should be protected and respected at all times, hence
should not be toyed with on the altar of political considerations and
conveniences. PANDEF considers the gravity the Senate is giving to the
so-called Hate Speech and Social Media Bills as disturbing.”
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