NBC in Talks with Google and TikTok on Social Media Regulation Bill

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has articulated its intentions to engage with prominent social media platforms, including Google and TikTok, in order to address the issue of user misconduct.

This announcement comes as part of the NBC’s efforts to explore the regulation of social media. In an interview with InfoStride News, Francisca Aiyetan, the Director of Broadcast Monitoring at NBC, emphasized the need for regulation, expressing concerns that unregulated social media could mislead young people. Aiyetan stated that the discussions and engagements with stakeholders are currently underway to pave the way for necessary regulations and legislation.

According to Aiyetan, “Every country is making efforts to regulate social media, and Nigeria also is making efforts because we know that there are a lot of things to harness from it. But if not regulated, it can also be a platform that will misguide our young people.”

The NBC recognizes the significance of social media as a powerful tool for communication, information dissemination, and public discourse. However, with the immense influence and reach of social media, there are concerns about the spread of misinformation, harmful content, and the potential for societal disruption. To address these challenges, Aiyetan indicated that the NBC is in discussions with stakeholders to enact legislation that will strengthen the regulatory framework for the broadcasting and content-sharing space.

She further elaborated, “And then, when you have the power and the enablement by law to do such things, then we can now look at, do we have the way to do it technology-wise? Nevertheless, presently what we do is that we engage the platform owners as a regulator, we engage Google YouTube, and TikTok, so we know the faces behind these platforms.”

This approach aims to involve social media platform owners in discussions regarding content regulation, user conduct, and the responsibility of these platforms in curbing harmful or misleading content. These conversations are integral to formulating a comprehensive regulatory strategy that balances the need to protect users, especially young people, while preserving freedom of expression.

The need for enhanced regulation of social media was previously discussed by Balarabe Ilelah, the Director-General of the NBC. Ilelah indicated that he had presented a bill for the regulation of social media to the National Assembly. This legislative effort is part of a broader initiative to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The aim is to bring this legislation up to date and address the challenges posed by the rapid evolution of digital communication and content-sharing platforms.

Ilelah has characterized the issues associated with social media as a “monster,” emphasizing that the current legal framework does not grant the NBC the authority to regulate social media effectively. He stated, “We want to tell you that a bill for an act to repeal and amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to accommodate the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting service, also to promote quality audio and video, efficient management of the spectrum, Nigeria Broadcast Institute, social media regulation and related matters has been read for the first time on the floor of the national assembly.”

The proposed bill encompasses various key aspects, including the transition to digital broadcasting, the promotion of high-quality audio and video content, efficient spectrum management, the role of the Nigeria Broadcast Institute, and social media regulation. Ilelah emphasized the urgency of implementing a legal framework for regulating social media, as he pointed out, “One of our major problems now is social media. Unless there is a law that allows NBC to act on social media issues, the issue will continue to be a monster in our daily lives in this country.”

The NBC’s efforts to engage with major social media platforms and push for legislative changes reflect the growing global concern about the influence and consequences of unregulated digital communication. While acknowledging the immense potential of social media, it is evident that responsible regulation is essential to protect users, safeguard the dissemination of accurate information, and mitigate the harmful effects of misinformation and harmful content. The ongoing discussions between the NBC and social media stakeholders will play a crucial role in shaping the regulatory landscape in Nigeria and addressing the challenges associated with social media use.