This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On July 2019, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) established a new media code aimed at tackling hate speech and fake news in Nigeria. The code, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, increases fines for indecency, inciting violence or hate speech to 5 million nairas (nearly $14,000) from 500,000 nairas ($1,400).
Information Minister Lai Mohammed described hate speech and fake news as a 'clear and imminent danger' to the unity of Nigeria, citing the country's multi-ethnic and religious nature. He also stated that addressing social media regulation is crucial to the fight against fake news.
Nigeria is looking at how other countries, such as Singapore, have handled social media regulation. Singapore's government has introduced a tough new law to combat fake news, allowing officials to crackdown on social media sites deemed to be spreading falsehoods.
Critics argue that Singapore's law stifles online discussion and media companies, and Nigeria analysts worry their government's new code will have the same impact. Nigeria ranks 120 out of 180 in the press freedom index for Reporters Without Borders media rights watchdog.
Samuel Ejiwunmi, a Nigerian researcher, expressed concerns that the new code will affect journalism as a whole. 'It's very easy for the (Singapore) government to interpret news, what is fake or not,' he said.
The minister's tough speech has worried press freedom activists, especially with the arrest of two journalists in western state of Kwara over an article published in May 2018. Gidado Shuaib, chief editor of the news website News Digest, and employee Adebowale Adekoya, were arrested at home by security agents in civilian clothes for questioning over an article entitled: 'Inside a Kwara factory where Indian hemp smoking is legalized.'
