The proposed Hate Speech and Anti-social Media bills came under heavy attack and condemnation this morning, as the 15th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) kicked off in Sokoto.
Leading the condemnation, host Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, warned that omnious clouds are gathering over the country, and that Nigeria cannot continue to run democracy like a military dictatorship. According to Tambuwal, “Hate speech and Social Media bills have no place in a constitutional democracy.
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On his on part, Osoba offered to lead the Guild, even as a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to lobby the senators, to ensure that the bills do not pass through.
In his welcome address, Acting President of NGE, Mr. Mustapha Isa, reminded those behind the bills that there are already enough laws in the country to check the infractions which the proposed bills seek to address. Isa restated the the Guild does not, and will not, support the proposed bills, as they are tantamount to gagging the media….. Details later