Data price reduction call: How not to solve regulatory issues with emotional decisions

November 26, 20190Comments

Fresh telecom sector threat from border closure

The Federal Government’s land border closure with her West Africa’s neighbours since August 19 in an exercise code-named ‘Swift Response’ has unwittingly brought about trade tension between the country and her neighbours leading to unintended consequences. One of them is the threat to telecom services, reports LUCAS AJANAKU. President Muhammadu Buhari appears not to be…

November 26, 20190Comments

Nigeria emerges first in West Africa to test run 5G technology

By Opeyemi Kehinde, Lagos Nigeria on Monday became the first country in West Africa to testrun 5G technology and applications. A statement by the telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, said the feat became possible as a result of the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), MTN…

Nigerians Kick as Senate Introduces Bill Prescribing Death Penalty for ‘Hate Speech’

The Senate has introduced a bill which seeks to establish a federal government agency to check hate speech in the country. The Senate announced deliberations on the bill during its plenary on Tuesday via twitter. The bill, sponsored by a former Senate spokesperson, who is now the Deputy Senate Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, passed first reading…

Lawyer Drags Buhari, Senate To Court Over Social Media Bill

The lawyer stated that the bill would infringe on Section 39(1) of the constitution which gives Nigerians the right to freely express themselves, hold opinions and receive and impart ideas and information without any let and hindrance. Barrister Tope Akinyode has sued President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Senate seeking a halt of the…

Hate Speech: People close to power also guilty ― Chidi Odinkalu

BY VICTOR OGUNYINK Human Right Activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has stated that people close to the government make hate speeches with impunity and some persons not guilty have been punished for less. Odinkalu, while speaking with Vanguard on a Twitter post, calling for the execution of Ahmad Salkida, Farooq Kperogi, the…

Opinion

The Court of Justice of the European Union Limits Free Speech

By Judith Bergman "This judgment has major implications for online freedom of expression around the world.... The ruling also means that a court in one EU member state will be able to order the removal of social media posts in other countries, even if they are not considered unlawful there. This would set a dangerous…

Features

Brzeziński v. Poland: Fine over ‘false’ information during election campaign violated Article 10

By Ronan Ó Fathaigh On 25 July 2019, the European Court of Human Rights delivered an important judgment in Brzeziński v. Poland, concerning a provision in Poland’s election law which allows a court, within 24 hours, to consider whether ‘untrue information’ has been published, and to issue an order prohibiting its further distribution. The European…

November 14, 20191KComments

Interview

It’s Illegal To Regulate Social Media -Adegboruwa

By Sam Popoola, Lagos Newly decorated Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Lagos radical lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has taken a swipe at the Federal Government’s decision to regulate or supervise social media, describing it as illegal. While not averse to the Federal Government’s concern for the need to ensure there is sanity in the social…

November 14, 2019125Comments

Features

EXPLAINER: Important things to know about Nigeria’s ‘Hate Speech’ bill

The Senate on Tuesday reintroduced a bill that seeks to penalise persons found guilty of hate speech. The National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech Bill was sponsored by the deputy chief whip, Aliyu Abdullahi. It prescribes death penalty for anyone found guilty of spreading a falsehood that leads to the death of another…