By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Digital Rights and Information Partnership (DRIP), a consortium of organizations,has educated journalists and the public on importance of digital rights and freedom bill.
The organization made the disclosure at a press conference
held yesterday in Abuja.
DRIP said Nigeria currently has over 109 million internet users, pegging the country amongst the top six highest internet users in the world.
“The rise of internet usage in Nigeria has increased online civic space engagement, advocacy and mobilization. It has also increased reliance on digital journalism, democratizing the flow of information traditionally controlled by newspapers, magazines, radio and television companies.”
The online civic space serves as a refuge for citizens, including marginalized groups, to raise their voices and influence change, while digital media serves as an effective tool to raise awareness on key socio-political issues.
However, the use of the internet comes with unique challenges and emerging issues.
Drip has mentioned some challenges which includes, citizens’ data protection, freedom of expression online, internet governance, regulation, shutdowns, online privacy and surveillance.
The organization maintained that the issues present necessity of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (DRFB).
“The DRFB is a proposed legislation that seeks to protect digital rights, including the right to online privacy, freedom of expression, information, the right to peaceful assembly online, and the right to create public knowledge.”
“The DRFB is important because it tackles issues such as censorship, the prohibition of hate speech and content blocking. It was passed at the National Assembly in 2019 but not signed into law by the President.
“The President’s assent was declined on the basis that the bill covers technical subjects that other policies seek to address.”
Nigeria is currently a signatory to the United Nations (UN) resolution, instituted in 2016 which affirms that civil, political, economic, and social rights offline must also be protected online.
“This means Nigerian government has officially acknowledged that digital rights are enshrined in human rights”.
“DRIP said in view of Nigeria’s 2023 election,it is the most opportune time for Nigeria to live up to its commitment of upholding digital rights by safeguarding the right to freedom of expression, association and sharing information online. We are calling on the policymakers to support the representation and passage of the bill.
Jul 19, 2022”
“If signed into law, the digital rights and freedom bill will safeguard Nigeria’s digital space against unlawful shutdowns, guarantee freedom of expression and assembly online”.
This will enhance citizens’ demand for accountability and good governance.
