The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced that it has issued a ‘Code of Practice’ for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries including online platforms.
The agency stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Hadiza Umar, on Monday.
“The new global reality is that the activities conducted on these Online Platforms wield enormous influence over our society, social interaction, and economic choices,” Mrs Umar wrote. “Hence, the Code of Practice is an intervention to recalibrate the relationship of Online Platforms with Nigerians in order to maximise mutual benefits for our nation, while promoting a sustainable digital economy.”
The announcement could face criticism from Nigerians who have been sceptical of the Buhari administration since it declared its intention to regulate the media, particularly online media, many of which have helped hold the government accountable.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the information minister, Lai Mohammed, told the National Assembly to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) law to enable the agency to regulate online media.
NBC currently regulates broadcast media and has been criticised for imposing controversial fines on broadcast stations.
As part of its new code, NITDA says online platforms must “Provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform.”
This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.
The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others.
Credit: premiumtimesng.com
