The Critical Importance of ‘The Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019’
Recently, there has been a massively misguided outcry and advocacy surrounding an all-time important Bill known as the ‘Anti-Social Media Bill’. From the nickname dubbed for this brilliant piece of legislation, one can already tell that the masses (or rather, strategic voices influencing the masses for personal interest and gain) are only biased and sentimental and have not taken out precious time to read and digest the content of this laudable Bill.
First of all, I must commend our legislature. I say ‘legislature’ and not particularly ‘the 9th Assembly’ because the previous assembly and this one have both done fantastic work regarding priorities, and even more so now it shows. You see, the legislature is one misunderstood arm of government and frankly, it is not surprising. Have you seen the statistics for unemployment in this country? A lot of the noisemakers who condemn and accuse our duly elected legislative representatives of issues such as outrageous salaries and allowances, brawling and rascality, ignorance, incompetence and philandering, are themselves jobless. To question a legislator in any ramification is to be utterly jobless, but welcome to Nigeria; a country where people define joblessness as ‘seeking accountability’
I digress anyway. I was commending our legislature, especially regarding this infamous Bill. I duff my hat to the legislative supporters of this Bill especially the alleged woman-beater, Senator Elisha Abbo and Bill’s sponsor, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa of the All Progressive Congress, for their forward-thinking-ness. Technology is the future of the world. We all know this. In fact, these social media noisemakers are the same who scream night and day at the government ‘Diversify! Diversification!!’ The whole world knows that oil is taking us nowhere but doom (not boom. haha). And so does our honourable Assembly. Therefore, to support and push for a Bill like ‘The Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019 (SB 132)’ is to be forward-thinking. Thank you!
If you doubt me about the critical importance and urgency of this Bill, take a look at other pending Bills at the National Assembly and tell me if you will find any more important. (Side note: The overwhelming amount of pending Bills should let you know how much work these great men and women of the red and green houses are faced with every day. It is not their fault if they have to rest once in a while to catch their breath or if they are being compensated heavily for their time and mental energies). Anyway, none of the currently pending Bills is as important as this fast-moving, accelerating Bill on Internet Falsehood and Manipulation. In doubt? Let’s take a look at some.
Is it the Data Protection Bill 2017 which took almost two years to be passed and is still currently awaiting presidential assent? You lot should be grateful that this Bill was even considered because Data Protection is just another terminology for ‘over-secrecy’ and we all know how bad secrecy is for a relationship especially one already ridden with lack of trust. The Data Protection Bill will only protect the data privacy rights of citizens, ensure the digital safety of Nigerians whilst also attracting foreign investment. Are these the mere benefits that you all consider over our champion Bill?
Or is it the Integrated Infrastructure Development Bill 2015 whose only aim in existence is to ensure that infrastructure development in Nigeria is given priority in planning, approval and implementation? As we say on the streets, “Who that one help?” So, after the country achieves a quick completion of building and maintenance projects, then what? Better quality of lives for Nigerians??? I mean, in the grand scheme of things, all this Bill wants to do is ensure that public infrastructure contracts are not merely carried out in a transactional manner but in a substantial manner that pays attention to our national development goals, skills development, job creation, local industrialization, youth employment, yen yen yen *yawn* BORING!
Or should the Assembly be more concerned about the 2015 Bill to amend the National Library Act? The Bill only aims to make a few inconsequential updates like ensure that the National Library maintains a collection of all government publications such as books, newspapers, Acts, bye-laws, gazettes, notices, orders, subsidiary legislation and the likes. The Bill even dares to ensure that the National Library has a collection of all musical recordings and films produced in Nigeria. Of course, this will greatly benefit the nation’s cultural posterity, increase citizens’ access to public information, boost transparency and accountability, and encourage and preserve historical evidence but how great is this benefit in comparison to the prohibition of internet falsehood and manipulation?
Frankly, I won’t be surprised to still hear some of you say that these three inconsequential Bills can stand beside the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019. Like I said earlier, I don’t blame you, I blame unemployment.
The Anti-Social Media Bill, as it has been nicknamed, is just to protect you. And yes because many citizens are illiterate and don’t know how to use their laws, this Bill will most likely only be used by persons in power but why is that a problem? To be honest, Nigerians can act a little confused at times. Why do you have a problem with a government official using a law? You love and trust your government officials, right? I mean, you voted them in and so you shouldn’t question them! *sigh*
Anyway, the Bill just wants to ensure nobody tells lies online. It’s that simple. And yes, maybe sometimes, even things that are true would be defined by a court of law as a lie but it’s not the law-makers fault that the justice system is weird like that.
Also, the Bill just wants to ensure that there’s no misuse of online accounts and bots, and that’s only because of you people’s anonymous and parody accounts. You think real-life issues are funny? You think it’s funny to make fun of powerful people’s mistakes? You think you’re entitled to ‘say your mind’ without ‘showing your face’? No. The powerful people have had enough.
Furthermore, the Bill just wants to prohibit online statements that are likely to cause prejudice to Nigeria’s relations with other countries. (You know how oyinbo people can believe anything they see/hear). Yes, if the Bill comes into force, you’ll probably not be allowed to report any happening in the country online because apparently, these developed countries get bothered by news about small issues like corruption, discrimination, insecurity and political instability. So do you really think that we won’t try to stop such news from getting out?
Finally, because una sef no dey try, the Bill just wants to ensure that statements that diminish public confidence in the performance or exercise of any duty, function or power by the government, is prohibited. This is for all of you who lack home training and think that because you can afford N500 data plan, you are entitled to hold or express an opinion on the performance of your president or state governor. Well, no you don’t. Because as it turns out, democracy is not of the people, or by the people or for the people. Tear all your government and civic education textbooks and ask for a refund, because there’s actually nothing like democracy. What we have is a bunch of elders who know best and must never be questioned or disrespected, especially online. You know what the elders say, ‘I may slap the one who spits in my face, but I will imprison the one who spits on my profile picture’
Anyway, I have said my piece. And for those of you who will say that there are already laws that cater to online communication and speech, I have just one sentence for you: We can’t have too much of something!
All the best in you people’s advocacy.
