Social media regulation: Criticising govt could attract 3-year jail time — Amnesty International

Amnesty International has raised concerns over the potential consequences of social media regulation in Nigeria, warning that critics of the government risk facing a three-year jail term.

The human rights organisation condemned the recent push for social media regulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Amnesty International explained the implications of such regulations, stating that the proposed law could be subject to vague and broad interpretations.

They cautioned that it would result in excessively harsh punishments for individuals merely expressing criticism of the authorities.

According to Amnesty International, under the proposed social media regulation, users would be penalised for freely expressing their opinions.

The government would have the authority to arbitrarily shut down the internet and restrict access to social media platforms.

Criticism of the government could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to three years.

“The social media regulation law keenly pushed by Nigerian politicians is set to be subject to vague and broad interpretations and will impose incredibly harsh punishments simply for criticising the authorities.”

“Social media users will be punished for freely expressing their opinions. Government can arbitrarily shut down the internet and limit access to social media.

Criticising the government will be punishable with penalties of up to three years in prison,” the human rights organisation tweeted.

The timing of Amnesty International’s warning coincides with recent calls for social media regulation by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, who labelled social media as a “societal menace.”

“Social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated. As many people do not understand, once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world, which is capable of causing great danger not just in society but even unintended consequences to the individuals who are receiving information, which may include security of life,” Gbajabiamila stated.

 

 

 

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