ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Irked by alleged incessant abuse of politicians and public figures through the social media, the Senate on Thursday resolved to restrict their activities and operations.
Consequently, the Red Chamber called for a thorough investigation into the activities of numerous online media platforms.
This was sequel to a point of order raised by Senator Dino Melaye, who decried the continuous unruly publications by one of the online media organisations, Sahara Reporters, against the 8th Senate.
Melaye noted that Sahara Reporters has, in recent time, engaged in a number of false publications against the upper legislative chamber.
He maintained that the Senate would not remain silent over what he referred to as aspersions on the 8th Senate.
“While I celebrate the social media as major actors, this Senate should not be blackmailed or cowed because of the social media. They (online media) are able to drag democracy into crisis by casting aspersions on the Senate.
“The Senate is a hallowed and sacred chamber. This can have a negative effect on democracy.
“They have commercialised their consciences, and monetised their operations, and are now tools used against perceived political enemies. This Senate must not, because of fear of blackmail, keep quiet,” Dino warned.
In his contribution, the Senate majority leader, Senator Ali Ndume, sought to know, if there are laws in place to checkmate the nefarious activities and operations of the online media organisations.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Ndume, who noted that there are many other media houses that are equally guilty of incessant lies against politicians and other public figures, lamented that he had in the past been accused of buying 400 Golf Volkswagen cars for Boko Haram.
“It is getting so much out of hand. It is not only the Sahara Reporters; there are many of them.
“People set up social media and start writing all sorts of things without being held responsible. We are a law-making body.
“We have the responsibility of holding people responsible. We need to stand up and look into this issue,” he said.
Also speaking on the matter, the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, acknowledged that the social media is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria as a country.
She, however, condemned the various unruly behaviour of various social media houses.
Olujimi, who revealed that she once has been attacked on the social media, added that it prompted her to close down all her accounts on the social media.
She reminded the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that it is among the biggest gainers from the social media.
“It (social media) has benefitted everybody. It has helped in our elections. It is the best thing that has happened us.
“When we (Peoples Democratic Party) were in the government, our party suffered from the attacks of the social media operators. The APC benefited so much from the social media then.
“Today, it is the turn of your government to receive the attacks from their activities. But castigating the entire Senate, we must do something against them,” she said.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, observed that accuracy is very important.
“However, a few bad eggs are set to sabotage what goes on social media. We all agreed to support the freedom of speech.
“But as a Senate, we should not be blackmailed. You can’t write false stories just because it is social media,” said Saraki.
He, thereafter, refered the motion to the committees on ICT, Cyber Crime and Judiciary, under the headship of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
It would be recalled that Saraki had, last Tuesday, denied allegations against him relating to embezzlement of funds made for arms deal by the same Sahara Reporters.
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