The Nigerian communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians that the cyberspace is not aan venue to promote hatred as there are laws guiding against such.
This was made known by Mr Tony Ojobo, the director of public affairs of the commission on Monday, February 22 during a discussion on what the new media has to do with cybercrime act.
The programme which was part of the week-long Social Media Week was geared towards examining the issue of cybercrime and how it affects the new media. Ojobo who was part of the discussant explained that a lot of laws were available which internet users have failed to familiarize themselves with. He
noted that people misuse the cyberspace by making xenophobic, comments, hate speech which are contrary to what is allowed.
He cited an example that if a person receives contents that contained child
pornography and shares with other persons using the internet; the person is
likely to go to prison even though he did not produce the material.
Speaking with naij.com, The NCC public affairs director encouraged the use of the cyberspace with sense. “Developed countries don’t want regulation of the internet but it is necessary in developing countries to prevent cyber-crimes. Nigerians are not reading the law which is why media users, bloggers and journalist are sometimes sent to prison when they don’t get their facts right.”
Ojobo explained that the laws were not there to deny Nigerians their freedom
of expression but to prevent people from inciting hatred.
