Senate won't pass social media bill, says Saraki

Nigeria’s Senate president says a controversial social media bill being considered by MPs will not be passed.

Human rights group and activists have described the bill, which aims to punish anyone who “propagates false information” on electronic media, as an attempt to muzzle free speech.

Bukola Saraki told a social media conference in Lagos that parliament recognises the role of social media in Nigeria’s development.

The proposed bill, presented to the senate last December, was “dead on arrival,” Mr Saraki added.

It proposes up to seven years in jail or a N200,000 ($25,000) (£16,000) fine for anyone found to be sending “abusive messages”.

At the time, the hashtag #NoToSocialMediaBill was used to campaign against the proposal.

Nigeria has a vibrant civil society, with many activists who use social media for their campaigns. It has the largest number of mobile phone users in Africa.

BBC