The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it does not control social media material.
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), headed by Blessing Akinsolotu, made the request during a recent visit. They asked the commission to take action about the alarming and deceptive content of social media platforms.
“We are aware that the NCC, as the industry regulator for the telecoms sector, has a larger responsibility to assist in preventing the spread of false information and inflammatory material that Internet users post on social media sites. So, he said, “We want the NCC to work with us in this area.
In order to make sure that the material on social media and the Internet is reliable and strengthens national social cohesion, according to Akinlosotu, the situation necessitates the immediate engagement of important players.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, represented by the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, welcomed the delegation and informed them that the NCC does not have the authority to censor the content of such media platforms.
According to Muoka, the primary responsibility of the telecom regulator is to facilitate the deployment of telecom infrastructure that offers a variety of telecommunications services, such as improving broadband to improve a robust Internet experience, ensuring fair competition, and safeguarding telecom consumers.
According to Muoka, part of the mandate is to make services available, inexpensive, and accessible to Nigerians so they may use them to engage in digital social mediation for the benefit of themselves, their companies, and the socioeconomic development of the country.
In carrying out its duties, the NCC, according to Muoka, encourages collaboration and partnerships with various stakeholders, such as the NCSCN, in order to raise awareness of and increase access to various consumer categories in the nation. In an attempt to better connect with the goals of telecom customers nationwide, he said the commission looks forward to expanding its partnership with NCSCN.
The NCC was praised by the NCSCN, a participant in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, for its consumer- and people-centered regulatory initiatives.
Through its more than 100 member Civil Society Organisations, the council also strives to work with the NCC to inform Nigerians at the grassroots level about the commission’s consumer enlightenment programmes (CSOs).
Also, Akinlosotu encouraged the NCC to collaborate with the NCSCN in organising a conference to address the apparently unstoppable spread of false information, particularly on social media platforms.
