No Propaganda Will Deter Senate from Treating the Anti-Social Media Bill - Spokesman

Last Wednesday, it was reported that the bill seeking to curb frivolous petitions, false allegations and statements in the social media passed second reading, but now the upper chamber is determined to pass it into law

 

Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi, in a statement on Sunday disclosed that the Nigerian Senate has declared that no amount of propaganda will deter it from treating the anti-social media bill, also known as the anti-frivolous petition bill.

 

He revealed that this was necessary to allow citizens 'shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law.'

 

He also said that some of the attacks on the bill 'emanated from misconception and misunderstanding of the objective which is meant to protect all individuals and institutions, including journalists and social media users.'

 

"The senate is committed to freedom of speech and a fully inclusive and participatory democracy. The process of passing a bill is comprehensive and provide for inputs to be taken from all and sundry.

"The first stage is merely to read the short title of the bill. The second stage is purely to debate the general principles.

"The next stage is committal of the bill to appropriate committee or committees for further detailed legislative action where the details, intendment and clause by clause implications of the bill are dissected by the committee.

"This stage also involves public hearing in which members of the public, civil society, non-governmental organizations and all interested parties for or against the bill have the opportunity to shape and influence its content.

"The outcome from this committee stage is what will be finalised and then represented to the chamber for clause by clause consideration and approval or disapproval by the senate.

"Thereafter, if the bill is approved, then the clean version of the bill is forwarded to the house of representatives for concurrence or otherwise.

"Accordingly, the senate wants to re-assure the public about this. So, all those who are either for or against this bill or its part and any other one have ample opportunities to reshape it," he said.

 

He assured that the eighth senate was conscious of its responsibility to the people and would not do anything that would stifle participation and inclusion.

 

"We will always ensure we pass laws, which meet best practices across the world and indeed democratic scrutiny. Suggesting that the senate wants to pass a law not even practiced in China etc is being mischievous.

"This senate is people-centred, pro-poor and participatory. We will always act in the best interest of the citizenry. In this regard, we are totally committed to performing our duties and discharging our responsibilities without let or hindrance.

"All those spreading hate campaigns as a result of the anti-frivolity bill, hauling insults at and making derogatory comments on senators of the federal republic of Nigeria and the institution of the Senate are advised to key into the elaborate legislative process that a bill must pass through before becoming law if they are interested in shaping the outcome of the bill."