Who is Afraid of Social Media Criticism?

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Recently, the Senate said the bill to sanction any person found to use any social media to either criticise or say anything that would endanger the security of the country has passed second reading at the chamber. The bill, after being passed into law, provides that anybody who is found guilty would either spend seven years in prison or a fine of N5 million.

The Senate should realise that all the social media, whether Facebook or Twitter have been the only source most people use to express their views to all and sundry across the world.

The bill would be dead on arrival, because this social media has created a lot of awareness amongst users. Hence, the bill when passed would be an effort in futility and a waste of time.

We are living in a free world where individual rights can’t be trampled upon. This measure to stem the use of Facebook or Twitter is akin to muzzling the public to stop expressing their views.

This social media has played a significant role in sensitising the public and also as a medium of public expression of some bad policies of government and this has resulted in the government becoming aware of what the public want to have without any hindrance.

The National Assembly should have at the back of its mind what the electorate that elected them want is to legislate on what would bring much progress to them not some unrealistic bills.

We would like to call on the Senate to reason along responsible and acceptable decisions for the benefit of those that sent them to represent them in that hallow chamber.

By Bala Nayashi, Lokoja, Kogi State.


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