Regulating social media is a 'delicate balance' between control, free speech - Shehu Sani
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has expressed concerns over the push to regulate social media in Nigeria, cautioning that such a move could suppress free speech and allow governments to evade accountability.
In a statement via X on Sunday, September 7, Sani’s comments follow a recent demand by the Department of State Services (DSS) for X to remove a controversial post by activist Omoyele Sowore.
In August, Sowore shared a video of President Bola Tinubu from a trip to Brazil, where he labeled the president a “criminal” and referenced alleged corruption claims.
The DSS subsequently wrote a letter to X on Saturday, requesting the removal of Sowore’s tweet and other related posts.
While acknowledging that social media platforms can be exploited for harassment and violence, Sani emphasised that heavy-handed regulation could be detrimental.
He urged that any attempt to regulate social media must be approached with extreme caution.
Sani concluded his post by stressing the need to find a careful balance between regulating online platforms and protecting democratic principles of accountability and free expression.
He wrote on X, "If you regulate Social media, you trample on freedom of speech and shield Governments, States, and institutions from being held accountable. If you don’t regulate Social media, it becomes a tool for hate, harassment, defamation, corrupting culture, and incitement to violence. Even Western democracies are confused about what to do with Social Media.
"The World’s ‘freest’ country wants to assess your social media accounts before issuing you a visa. Social media is like a Gun; it can be used to prevent murder and to commit murder.
"Democratic states must find and uphold that balance between rights and decency."
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