In an increasingly connected world, social media has played a major role in the dissemination of information and the expression of public opinion. However, there have always been debates about the need to regulate social media, particularly regarding the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
recently, President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, while launching a book written by Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works, called for the regulation of social media. However, this position has been strongly contested by voices defending the principles of freedom of expression.
An activist, Deji Adeyanju, recently reacted to Gbajabiamila’s call saying it went against the principles of Nigerian democracy, which are based on freedom of expression. He stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and this right must be protected as it allows for divergent opinions and criticism on matters of national importance.
Adeyanju also highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that the ruling political party, of which Gbajabiamila is an integral part, has used social media to gain popularity. He described it as ironic that Gbajabiamila is now seeking to regulate social media to protect himself from criticism.
According to Adeyanju, despite the problems associated with social media, the platform has made it easier for citizens to communicate with political leaders and hold them accountable for their actions. He stressed that it is precisely this free and easy access to politicians and government officials that Gbajabiamila seeks to restrict.
Adeyanju concluded his statement by calling on Gbajabiamila to abandon the idea of regulating social media or restricting citizens’ freedom of expression, and instead focus on protecting civic space and freedom of expression.
In summary, the debate over the regulation of social media rages on. While some support the need to regulate social media to combat harmful content, others defend freedom of speech and the ability for citizens to express themselves freely on online platforms. It remains to be seen how this discussion will evolve and what decisions will be made to balance free speech and empowerment of social media users.