A Civil Society Organization in Rivers State known as Civil Rights Council, Rivers State chapter has called on Senator Betty Apiafi representing Rivers West Senatorial district, Senator Barry Mpigi representing Rivers South East Senatorial district and Senator Thompson George Sekibo representing Rivers East Senatorial district in the National Assembly to make their position known on the SOCIAL MEDIA BILL known as protection from Internet falsehood and manipulation bill 2019 which seeks to regulate the Social Media space in Nigeria .
In a press statement released on November 23,2019 and signed by its Chairman, Prince Wiro revealed that the three Senators representing the state should not be silent at a critical time like this when bill that will affect freedom of expression is being deliberated on in the National Assembly.
The statement explained that Rivers people deserves to know whether the Senators are in favour of the bill or against the bill.
The statement read that the Council wish to use this medium to call on the Rivers Senators to make their position known without further delay.
It said “as an organization which promote Human rights advocacy, We believe that there is no need for regulation of social media space as the legislation on cyber crimes act takes care of internet falsehood and other cyber offences”.
Civil Rights Council Rivers State in the statement commended Senator Chimaroke Nnamani for vehemently opposing the bill on the floor of the Senate.
“We add our voice in saying NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA BILL 2019, as it impact negatively on freedom of speech which is one of the major ingredients in Democracy”
The statement added that Senators should be more responsive to Nigerian citizens by proposing laws that will eradicate poverty and not to propose bill that will hinder freedom of expression.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Sani Musa representing Niger East senatorial district in the National Assembly.
The bill on Wednesday 20 November 2019 passed second reading on the floor of the Senate and was referred to the National Assembly committee on Judiciary and the committee was given four weeks to report back to the house.
