*Nigerian Communications Commission says the telecoms regulator is developing and adapting governance frameworks to enable it develop聽 robust and future-proof regulations while adapting regulatory enforcement activities to the 鈥榥ew normal鈥�

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed it is adjusting extant regulatory instruments and management tools in order to ensure regulations are relevant 聽for future imperatives of a robust telecoms sector in the country.

CosumerConnect reports Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM) at NCC, stated this development during a panel session at the 2021 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The general theme of the 2021 NBA Annual General Conference is, 鈥楾aking the Lead鈥�.

L-R: Quassim Odunmbaku, Special Assistant, ECSM’s Office at NCC; Abulaziz Adamu, Assistant Director, Commission Secretariat; Helen Obi, Head of Telecoms Law and Regulations; Hafsat Lawal, Head of Consumer Policy Development and Monitoring; Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM); Yetunde Akinloye, Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis; Afure Iloka, Special Assistant (Legal) to Executive Vice-Chairman; June Nwachukwu, Assistant Director, Legal Services; and Ibe Ngwoke, Principal Manager, Commission Secretariat of NCC in Port Harcourt

Barr. Adewolu, in a panel discussion that focused on Government Regulation of Innovation and Technology, said: “In specific terms, we are taking action in the following areas:

鈥淲e are adjusting regulatory instruments and management tools to ensure regulations are fit for the future.

RELATED: NCC Unveils 5-Year Strategic Plan, Umar Danbatta鈥檚 Book, Global Connect Podcast

鈥淎n example is our ongoing review of the Telephone Subscriber Registration Regulations to strengthen the framework for digital identity; and the review of the Spectrum Trading Guidelines to ensure more efficient use of spectrum.”

The NCC鈥檚 ECSM furher said that the Commission is laying institutional foundations to enable cooperation with other regulatory institutions and international organisations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Adewolu as well noted the NCC is also developing and adapting governance frameworks to enable the development of agile and future-proof regulation; and equally adapting regulatory enforcement activities to the 鈥渘ew normal鈥�.

This is to ensure alignment with the rapid technological changes and innovations that are emerging at a high speed and with sophistication, stated he.

RELATED: NCC Committed To Growth Of E-Governance, Other Internet-Driven Services In Nigeria 鈹�Danbatta

As regards censorship, particularly tackling illegal and harmful content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, Barr. Adeleke said NCC had to opt for “a middle ground that promotes safe use of digital service platforms without necessarily stifling the exercise of the citizens鈥� right to free expression as guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution.鈥�

The Commission鈥檚 Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management also explained that on technology platforms, censorship manifests in three scenarios, namely: restriction of person-to-person communications; restriction of Internet access generally; or restriction of access to specific content, which governments find objectionable.

According to him, this was pursuant to constitutional provisions such as those in Section 39(3) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, which approves “any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society to prevent the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of courts or regulating telephony, wireless broadcasting, television or the exhibition of cinematograph films.”

In particular, Adewolu declared that the third scenario is globally recognised as the ideal situation because one of the core responsibilities of government (as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution) is to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.

RELATED Cybersecurity: NCC Management, COP Ambassadors Stress Importance Of Child Online Safety In Africa

Explicating further, Adewolu stressed that social media platforms allow instant communications without regard for impact or consequences.

He, however, insisted that self-regulation is possible, but 鈥渁s we have experienced over and over again, an ill-considered post on social media can easily incite unrest and crises.鈥�

The ECSM bemoaned the fact that leading social media platforms have demonstrated a rather unfortunate reluctance to moderate the use of their platforms for subversion and harm.

“So, we cannot trust them to self-regulate,” he emphasised.

Adewolu noted that self-regulation has not been very effective, and interestingly, “the largest platforms are global platforms, and many of them are protected by their home governments.”

RELATED Interview: How Sustained Cybersecurity Awareness Will Address Online Frauds In Nigeria 鈹�Expert

For instance, “Sc.230 of US Communications Act provides immunity to firms like Facebook and Google from responsibility for content disseminated on their media, although they still apply fair usage and community rules which enables them to self-regulate.

鈥淗owever, as we saw with the case of the former US President Donald Trump 鈥� people are often able to disseminate negative content for a while before they are cut off. Mr Trump had over 87 million followers he engaged directly with,” the ECSM stated.

Adewolu cited another example of what happened recently, when CNN reported that Facebook deliberately failed to curb posts inciting violence in Ethiopia despite the fact that its own staff flagged such posts, and that Ethiopia is listed as a high-priority zone, which has been fighting a civil war for the past one year.

As Adewolu recalled, the UN Secretary-General recently called for the regulation of social media platforms, and even the CEO of Facebook has made similar calls in the past.

He added: “So, we cannot wholly depend on self-regulation. And whilst we cannot prevent citizens from freely expressing themselves on these platforms, it would be irresponsible for any government to allow unbridled use of these mediated communication to cause chaos and imperil lives and property.

鈥淕overnment must act to protect social cohesion and national security.鈥�

Kindly Share This Story