SERAP urges Senate, House of Reps to reject social media regulation bill

SERAP urges Senate, House of Reps to reject social media regulation bill

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to reject the re-introduced social media regulation bill, emphasizing that it “would unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.”

According to SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in a statement released on Sunday, “social media is neither Nigeria’s problem nor a monster.” They are urging the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to cease efforts to compel technological firms like Google and YouTube to restrict fundamental human rights. Oluwadare stated, “Any regulation of it would have arbitrary and excessive effects, and cause incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms.”

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The proposed bill has raised concerns about the rights to freedom of expression and privacy and is seen as potentially leading to a digital siege. SERAP warns that they will take legal action against the National Assembly and the Federal Government if the social media regulation bill becomes law.

They also advise the government to focus on maximizing opportunities in social media and addressing the nation’s growing social and economic inequalities rather than rushing to pass the bill. SERAP calls for transparency in ongoing discussions with social media companies like Google, YouTube, and TikTok.

The organization emphasizes that the regulation of social media should comply with the requirements of legality, legitimacy, and necessity, as any restrictions should be in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations regarding freedom of expression, privacy, and participation.

They stress the importance of access to social media as a fundamental enabler of various human rights and urge the government to refrain from unduly interfering with digital communications platforms.

SERAP also highlights that any restriction on freedom of expression should meet specific criteria and is only permissible under certain conditions. They reference Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights treaties in defending the right to freedom of expression, including political discourse, journalism, and artistic expression.

In conclusion, SERAP points out that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has discouraged states from restricting access to the internet and digital technologies.

The organization maintains that the social media regulation bill, as reported, may not meet the required standards for justifying restrictions on human rights.