Federal government has asked the House of Representatives to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) act to empower the agency to regulate social and online media.
This came weeks after Twitter operation in Nigeria was suspended by the Nigerian government.
The request was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on June 16 during a public hearing organized by the house committee on information, national orientation, ethics and values on a bill to amend the NBC act.
Section two (b) of the NBC act states:
“(1) The Commission shall have [the] responsibility of: Receiving, processing and considering applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations including (i) cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.”
Lai Mohammad requested for the commission to be allowed to regulate and monitor other social media platforms including Twitter.
“I want to add here specifically that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in this because we have a responsibility to monitor contents, including Twitter.”
This appeal comes days after NBC asked all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers operating in Nigeria to apply for a broadcast license.