It is worthy to note that the code of practice has compelled all large service platforms with users of more than one thousand to have physical contact and outreach in Nigeria, with details of their outlet on their platforms. Also, it has become mandatory for each service platform to appoint a liaison officer who shall stand as a communication channel between and government and the platform in case of any eventualities. This will help to create employment opportunities.
The Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria released by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will restore sanity in Nigeria’s internet space and regulate practices of social media platforms in the country.
Before this development, various laws and guidelines on information and communications technology (ICT) have been in place but none, specifically, governed the social media platforms and the users.
The Nigerian Press Council is one of the regulatory bodies created to see to objective information dissemination, to ensure objective press standards, and maintain high professional and ethical standards for the Nigerian press. Being a shield for Nigeria’s print media, part of its functions revolve around standards research, the proper training of journalists, accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions, amongst others, and ensuring that numerous agencies and bodies regulate their operations to ensure professionalism.
It is also noteworthy that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) regulates and promotes ethical advertising practice, and acts as the conscience of society and watchdog for consumers.
Primarily, APCON determines who an advertising practitioner should be and also the standard of knowledge and skills required to be attained by persons seeking to become registered members of the advertising profession, while also reviewing those standards from time to time.
Similarly, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act regulates all terrestrial radio and television broadcasting services and licenses cable and direct-to-home (DTH) services. As part of the National Mass Communication Policy, it also sets standards regarding the content and quality of materials being broadcast throughout Nigeria.
It is noteworthy that all these agencies and regulatory bodies are responsible for guaranteeing that the contents and materials that go out to the public do not offend sensibilities, ensure sanity and promote national unity in the country.
The advent and proliferation of online activities e.g. on social media became a cause for concern among many stakeholders, hence the need to formulate policies that will guide the use of the internet in Nigeria without interference in the freedom of expression. Thus, until now there were no rules guiding the activities and operations of social media platforms.
Thus, NITDA whose mandate includes developing guidelines for electronic governance, and the networking of public and private sector establishments, unveiled the latest draft code that would guide small and large service platforms operating in Nigeria’s cyberspace.
The free use of the internet and proliferation of content have created gaps for economic saboteurs to incorporate their services online without paying taxes and other financial rights owed to the government.
The spread of fake news, hideous crimes, and dissemination of harmful content on the internet over the years have also become tools of abuse by many criminally-minded persons, who leverage on insecurity to propagate their illicit activities.
Hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, and online propaganda have become dangerous humours that many online platforms now host, whilst continuously polluting the public space with unwholesome contents that breed tension among people and communities.
Therefore, the NITDA code of practice, to a large extent, will ensure that internet intermediaries abide by Nigerian laws and do not deploy or modify their platforms in any way that could constitute illegality, undermine national security or interfere with the application of the guidelines for the good of the Nigerian society.
To maintain orderliness in the online ecosystem, the code of practice advises platforms to acknowledge the receipt of toxic content and remove such content within a reasonable time frame. Thus, platforms need to exercise due diligence to ensure that no unwholesome content is uploaded onto their space and they must act, upon receiving notice of the presence of unlawful content, from any user or authorised government agency.
Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok and others are expected to publish on their websites, applications, or both, the rules for access or usage of the platform by any person or entity. This will serve as terms and conditions of use to avoid violations and thereby acting accordingly before dissemination of damaging contents.
Lately, most outrage and protests have underlying links to social media mobilisation and motivation. For instance, the EndSARS rhapsody on Twitter, sex videos on the rampage on Facebook, and gory images of ritual killings/violent attacks depict the repulsive use of the online platforms. Promoters of disturbing images that can’t go through the traditional media due to censorship, now use internet platforms to push their horrible agenda.
As such, platforms must take measures to mitigate, as well as clarify in community rules and guidelines how children and adults can be protected from harmful content, taking into cognisance that users who fail to comply with the rules of the platform will have their access terminated.
It is worthy to note that the code of practice has compelled all large service platforms with users of more than one thousand to have physical contact and outreach in Nigeria, with details of their outlet on their platforms. Also, it has become mandatory for each service platform to appoint a liaison officer who shall stand as a communication channel between and government and the platform in case of any eventualities. This will help to create employment opportunities.
I call on NITDA and stakeholders to cooperate and ensure compliance with the code of practice to enable platforms and users to experience social and economic wellbeing in Africa’s leading digital economy.
Zeenat O. Sambo writes from Abuja.
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All content is Copyrighted © 2022 The Premium Times, Nigeria