The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has clarified that it is not responsible for regulating the content of social media networks, despite complaints from stakeholders about worrisome and misleading content.
This was made known during a recent visit of the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), led by its Executive Secretary, Blessing Akinsolotu, who sought the Commission’s intervention in curbing the spread of fake news and incendiary content on social media platforms.
“We know that NCC, as the regulator of the telecoms industry, has greater role to play in helping to curb the spread of fake news and incendiary contents that Internet users put on social media platforms. Therefore, we want NCC to partner with us in this regard,” he stated.
Akinlosotu emphasized the urgent need for key stakeholders to intervene and guarantee the credibility of social media and internet content, with the ultimate goal of promoting national social cohesion.
Director, Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr. Reuben Muoka, who received the group on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated that the Commission’s mandate does not extend to controlling such content.
According to Muoka, the primary role of the telecom regulator is to facilitate the deployment of telecom infrastructure that provides various types of telecommunications services. This includes improving broadband to enhance the Internet experience and ensuring fair competition while protecting telecom consumers.
Muoka emphasized that this mandate involves making services available, accessible, and affordable for Nigerians to engage in digital social mediation for individual, business, and national socioeconomic growth.
To carry out its functions, the Commission collaborates with different stakeholders such as NCSCN to create awareness and promote access to various categories of consumers in the country. The Commission aims to align with the aspirations of users of telecommunications services across the country and welcomes further collaboration with NCSCN.
The NCSCN, a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, commended the Commission for its consumer-centric regulatory activities.
The Council seeks collaboration with NCC to disseminate the Commission’s consumer enlightenment programs to Nigerians in the grassroots through its over 100-member Civil Society Organization (CSOs).
Akinlosotu also invited the Commission to partner with the NCSCN in hosting a conference aimed at addressing the seemingly intractable diffusion of fake news, particularly on social media networks.