Digital Rights bill to address critical digital policy issues – Advocacy Group

Bill
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, March 7, 2019 (NAN) A digital right advocacy group, Paradigm Initiative, says signing the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill into
law will address a range of critical digital policy issues in the country.

Its Executive Director, Mr Gbenga Sesan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that the
critical digital policy issues included data in the cloud, surveillance and lawful interception, as well as data privacy and freedom of expression online.

He said “citizens have found an avenue to freely express their opinion through online platforms and through digital tools but this has also attracted
trend of new legislative proposals that seek to check `excesses’ but none to protect the rights of citizens online.

“Its relevance is that the bill will bring hope for a future where the rights of Nigerians will be protected when they make online comments.

“As a citizen or member of opposition or former government official, one may differ in opinion, and should feel free to
express his or her disappointment over public services without any fear.”

Sesan said that the bill would also provide for the protection of citizens from errant behaviours such as hate speech and misinformation, as defined by a competent court of law.

He added that “overall, the bill seeks to address key challenges, provides regulatory clarity, and safeguards users’ rights, while maintaining
preference for `openness’, which the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and many others have noted is vital.

“It is vital for boosting trade, enabling innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering new, creative and cost-saving business models, and enriching social well-being.”

The Paradigm Initiative boss noted that the bill would focus not just on rights and freedom, but also on responsibility, which he added, would not have any side effects on anyone.

The Digital Rights and Freedom Bill was transmitted for assent to President Muhammadu Buhari in February.

The bill, which has been in parliament since 2016, was passed by both chambers in 2018.

The President has 30 days from the day it received the communication from the National Assembly to assent to the bill. (NAN)
CAN/COF/HA
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Editing by Oluyinka Fadare/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu