The bill to regulate social media in Nigeria has passed its second reading at the Senate.
The Bill titled “A Bill for an Act to make provisions for the protection from internet falsehood and manipulations and for related matters, 2019,” is being sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa.
According to the senator, the bill will prevent the assassination of character and spread of fake news via social media.
He pointed out how a fake news surfaced on social media stating that President Buhari had been replaced with a Jibril from Sudan.
“The hoax about the death of President Muhammadu Buhari in London and his replacement with Jibril from Sudan was a great threat to the peace and security of this country,” Musa said.
The bill which was supported by Senators Ibrahim Gobir, Ishaku Clifford Elisha Abbo, Abba Moro and Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has been referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative work.