SERAP Criticizes Lai Mohammed Over Bill Seeking Control Of Online Media

The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has faulted the moves by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, over a bill seeking amendment of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act to enable the regulator have control over online media operating in the country.

The NBC regulates and controls the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.

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On Wednesday, the minister made the proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values at the National Assembly.

“I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill,” Mr Mohammed said.

Based on the development, SERAP stated that the federal government was exploring another way to block media freedom in the country.

It threatened to go to court if NASS eventually accepts Mohammed’s request and passes it into law.

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“We urge members of the House of Representatives to reject the unlawful bill by Mr Lai Mohammed and the Buhari administration, which seeks to amend the NBC Act to control online broadcasting.

“Nigeria: Bill to control online broadcasting illegal.

“We’ll challenge this illegality in court if the bill is ever passed into law,” it stated.

The development is coming amid the ban on Twitter by the federal government.

The international community had described that action as an undemocratic one.

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But the FG had claimed that the medium was being used to threaten Nigeria’s cooperate existence.

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