The House of Representatives has come under heavy criticism for holding talks over plans to censor social media use in Nigeria.
Several social media users and other citizens in the nation have accused the Green Chamber of displaying a case of misplaced priorities especially considering the socio-economic and political challenges the nation was currently facing.
The House had said it would instruct the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to commence plans to restrict access to pornographic, homosexual and immoral materials, as well as create barriers to check the use of phones and other devices used in Nigeria.
The Reps’ decision has been met with widespread disapproval in the light of burning national issues such as unemployment, power and falling revenues amongst others. Many have questioned the wisdom of debating the issue of “indecency” above all these.
What the House means by “contents that violates morals and religious values” remains fuzzy to most.
The directive was instituted by the House during plenary on Wednesday November 11, after a motion urging the NCC to immediately launch software initiatives that would block content that violates moral and religious ethics and values was passed.
These resolutions were followed by a motion entitled “Call for censoring of the social media” sponsored by John-bull Shekarau, who stated that all social media platforms had a self imposed minimum age of not less than 13 years for the setting up of profiles.
He however lamented that certain individuals and organizations had exploited social media lapses to post and download “pornographic content.”
Many have condemned his submission decision, tagging it a “Legislative joke” with others advocating that the House focuses on more pertinent issues.
“Very unserious set of people! Of all the pressing issues in Nigeria it is people’s personal life styles you are dreaming about” Kenny reacted.
Another reaction was from Gondalez where he warned the legislatures to keep off censorship. “Censorship is slippery, before you know it, we are limiting the freedom of information like china!”
Shekarau however emphasized that the inappropriate materials online portended “grave danger to the long term survival of the nation’s moral values,” adding “a systematic mode of brain washing that is going on in the social media.”
Also contributing to the motion, Obinna Chidoka said the issue was one that was serious adding there was a need to look at the issue closely viz-a-viz the cyber crime law.
He stressed it went “beyond voting and adopting the motion by the House.”
Credit -Post Nigeria
It's indeed a slippery slope and I think there are more serious issues the house should occupy itself with. Thread carefully Honourables.
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