Social Media Bill: Association wants security agencies to follow due process

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers on Sunday urged various security agencies to follow due process in prosecuting offenders from social media platforms.
The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Ogunbanjo said the social media bill was a welcome development that would help reduce propaganda.
He added: “A situation where this can be controlled to some extent is welcomed, because sometimes, people just post all kinds of things that are not verifiable.
“However, so many things in terms of safety measures and due diligence must be employed before anyone is nabbed for doing anything wrong on the social media.”
Ogunbanjo urged telecoms users to be mindful of what they post on the social media so that they would not to be found liable.
NAN reports that on December 2, a bill seeking a two-year jail term for Social Media offenders was presented before the Senate.
It also provides an option of N4 million for offenders of false newspaper, radio and television statements and N2 million for false phone text, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp messages.
The bill, tagged: “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith,” was sponsored by Senenator Ibn Na’Allah (APC-Kebbi South).
It has passed the second reading.
NAN.