Ebun Francis|The Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill also known as the Social Media Bill on Wednesday passed second reading in the Senate with the support of majority of the lawmakers.
The upper legislative chamber subsequently directed its committee on judiciary to work on the bill and report back to the whole house in four weeks.
The Senate, however, directed its committee on judiciary to work on the bill and return in four weeks.
The bill which was introduced to the Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, by Mohammed Sani Musa, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Niger East Senatorial District, has sparked outrage from Nigerians.
According to the sponsor, the bill will regulate the use of social media in Nigeria and curb fake news on the internet but critics see it as an attempt to regulate free speech in the country.
The only dissenting voice during Wednesday’s debate, was that of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu state.
According to him, there is legislation in the country namely the Cyber Crimes Act which addresses internet falsehood.
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