In an unexpected turn of events, the Nigeria Federal Government used the big stick and banned the social microblogging site; Twitter, after the platform took down a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari’s account.
The now-removed tweet threatened to punish members of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra group following attacks on government buildings and electoral offices. The group denied involvement in these attacks.
the now deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet.
“Twitter has consistently made its platform available to those who are threatening Nigeria’s corporate existence,” said Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture.
Lai Mohammed argued that Twitter was used to disseminate information “that endangers the life and security” of Nigerians and causes disunity in the country. He added that other platforms found guilty of doing the same will not be spared by the government.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture
According to the Minister, Twitter will continue to be outlawed until it registers an office in the country. This is as he threatens to add other popular platforms to its “blacklist.”
In support, the Attorney General of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, vowed to prosecute violators of the Twitter ban, a threat that he later recanted.
Human right activists and Government critics have labelled the ban “unlawful” and an attempt to gag Nigerians’ right to freedom of speech.
Many Nigerians have continued to tweet in defiance of government threats of arrest and prosecution. They are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the ban after telecommunications companies heeded the government’s directive and blocked the micro-blogging site.
NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, says Nigeria is losing about $250,000 (£176,000) each hour the ban is in place and analysts say this ban may further weaken the economy and increase the already high unemployment levels for young people.
Twitter is popular with many Nigerians, the platform has been used to raise funds for the sick, summon ambulances, help locate missing people and has been a source of livelihood for many of the country’s young people.
It has also been a powerful mobilising tool, with activists using it to rally support during last year’s protests against police brutality under the hashtag #ENDSARS, which gained global attention and were backed by superstars such as Rihanna, Kanye West and boxer Anthony Joshua.
While there is a need to regulate hate speech and malicious communications, the balance between free speech, privacy and security needs to be carefully calibrated.
Beyond the reach of traditional media, social media is arguably changing the relationship between governments and citizens..
The government should recognise that these platforms provide accessibility to citizens. It enables them to express legitimate concerns and engage more directly with those who govern.
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REFERENCES:
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/466490-twitterban-nigeria-becomes-66th-country-to-restrict-social-media-report.html
- https://www.reuters.com/technology/nigeria-demands-social-media-firms-get-local-licence-2021-06-09/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57402349
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/467248-twitterban-malami-denies-issuing-prosecution-threat-against-twitter-users.html
