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NCC: Why We Can't Allow Social Media Platforms To Self Regulate

Faith Ukanwa

Nov 01, 2021

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said it cannot trust social media platforms to self regulate because the platforms have been reluctant in moderating the use of their platforms for subversion and harm.

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The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, made this known at the 2021 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, themed 'Taking the Lead'.

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According to Adewolu, self-regulation has not been very effective, and interestingly, "the largest platforms are global platforms and many of them are protected by their home governments."

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"Leading social media platforms have demonstrated a rather unfortunate reluctance to moderate the use of their platforms for subversion and harm. So, we cannot trust them to self-regulate.

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"Self-regulation has not been very effective, and interestingly, the largest platforms are global platforms and many of them are protected by their home governments.

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"For instance, Sc.230 of US Communications Act provides immunity to firms like Facebook and Google from responsibility for content disseminated on their media, although they still apply fair usage and community rules which enable them to self-regulate.

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"However, as we saw with the case of the former US President Donald Trump - people are often able to disseminate negative content for a while before they are cut off. Mr Trump had over 87 million followers he engaged directly with.ÔÇØ

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"So, we cannot wholly depend on self-regulation. And while we cannot prevent citizens from freely expressing themselves on these platforms, it would be irresponsible for any government to allow unbridled use of these mediated communications to cause chaos and imperil lives and property. Government must act to protect social cohesion and national security.ÔÇØ

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— Faith Ukanwa

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