Groups and representatives of civil society, government and private institutions, and the media on Monday, stormed the senate-house to protest against further considerations of the anti-social media bill at the opening of the public hearing by the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan.
According to some reports, out of the 62 individuals, institutions and groups, who submitted a memorandum and spoke at the public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, only three speakers supported the proposed legislation.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Sani Musa was said to be in violation of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians and in contradiction with the existing international statutes to which Nigeria was a signatory.
They also insisted the ambiguity of the bill would result in a lack of citizen’s trust and confidence in governance adding that there was sufficient legislation that had already taken care of protection from falsehood and manipulations.
Further information made available to Obinwannem news states that the antagonists of the anti-social media legislation had argued further that the bill would stifle the rights of freedom of expression as citizens would be too scared to speak up and hold the government accountable for their actions.
Further reports revealed the head of Civil Society Organisation Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Christopher Isiguzo and the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Umar Dambata as those who spoke against the bill.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
