Twitter: FG Seeks Powers To License, Regulate Internet Broadcast, Online Media

The Federal Government on Wednesday sought power to regulate
private broadcasting in the country using the internet and other
online outlets, saying the government has an obligation to monitor
broadcast content.

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who spoke at a
public hearing on a bill to amend the National Broadcasting Act
organsied by the House Committee on Information, National
Orientation, Ethics and Values said the National Assembly should
amend the existing NBC law to include internet broadcast and all
online media broadcast in the country.

But stakeholders in the industry including the Institute for
Media and Society, International Press Centre and Centre for Media
Law and Advocacy said the inclusion of internet broadcast and
online media to the category of broadcast service licenses will be
injurious to the civic space, freedom of expression and media
freedom.

However, Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila said when
passed the contents of the bill will substantially influence the
creation of media content in the country.

But the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria who are the major
beneficiaries of the regulations of the National Broadcasting
Commission was conspicuously missing at the public hearing.

The Minister was reacting to the provisions of section 2c of
proposed law which listed the categories of licenses to be granted
which include Cable television Services, Direct Satellite
broadcast, Direct to Home, IPTV, Radio, EPG and Digital Terrestrial
television; radio and television stations owned, stablish or
operated by the federal, state and local governments, Broadcast
signal distribution, Online broadcast, community broadcasting,
public service broadcasting, among others.

He said “I want to add here specifically that internet
broadcasting and all online media should be included in this
because we have responsibility to monitor content, including
twitter.”

On the proposal that the NBC should regulate and provide digital
broadcasting in Nigeria in line with the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreement referred to as Regional
Agreement GEO6, 2006 in a manner that will be cost effective for
Nigeria, he said the nation’s laws cannot be made subservient to
any treaty

He said; “With due respect, our laws cannot be subservient to
international telecommunication union treaties. It is true that we
are part of the treaty, but our laws and act cannot be made
subservient to any treaty. Treaties re made, but our laws will have
to protect peculiar situations in our country. So, will suggest we
take another look at this.”

The Federal Government on Wednesday sought power to regulate
private broadcasting in the country using the internet and other
online outlets, saying the government has an obligation to monitor
broadcast content.

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who spoke at a
public hearing on a bill to amend the National Broadcasting Act
organsied by the House Committee on Information, National
Orientation, Ethics and Values said the National Assembly should
amend the existing NBC law to include internet broadcast and all
online media broadcast in the country.

But stakeholders in the industry including the Institute for
Media and Society, International Press Centre and Centre for Media
Law and Advocacy said the inclusion of internet broadcast and
online media to the category of broadcast service licenses will be
injurious to the civic space, freedom of expression and media
freedom.

However, Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila said when
passed the contents of the bill will substantially influence the
creation of media content in the country.

But the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria who are the major
beneficiaries of the regulations of the National Broadcasting
Commission was conspicuously missing at the public hearing.

The Minister was reacting to the provisions of section 2c of
proposed law which listed the categories of licenses to be granted
which include Cable television Services, Direct Satellite
broadcast, Direct to Home, IPTV, Radio, EPG and Digital Terrestrial
television; radio and television stations owned, stablish or
operated by the federal, state and local governments, Broadcast
signal distribution, Online broadcast, community broadcasting,
public service broadcasting, among others.

He said “I want to add here specifically that internet
broadcasting and all online media should be included in this
because we have responsibility to monitor content, including
twitter.”

On the proposal that the NBC should regulate and provide digital
broadcasting in Nigeria in line with the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreement referred to as Regional
Agreement GEO6, 2006 in a manner that will be cost effective for
Nigeria, he said the nation’s laws cannot be made subservient to
any treaty

He said; “With due respect, our laws cannot be subservient to
international telecommunication union treaties. It is true that we
are part of the treaty, but our laws and act cannot be made
subservient to any treaty. Treaties re made, but our laws will have
to protect peculiar situations in our country. So, will suggest we
take another look at this.”