Professor Armstrong Idachaba, former director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has proposed regulatory measures to address cyberbullying, trolling, sexting and online pornography.

Professor Armstrong Idachaba, former DG, NBC

Adachaba, who is a Professor of Mass Communication at Veritas University, Abuja, stated this when he presented a paper on ‘Media Utilisation in the Era of Media Convergence – Fear and Opportunities,’ recently in Abuja, regretting that people use social media to foment trouble instead of advancing friendship and meaningful connection.

“The biggest threat of social media is in the area of the content it spurns out, the use of the social media seems to be a double-edged sword, bringing good and providing fears. Cyberbulling, trolling, sexting, internet addictions, cybercrime, online pornography, fake news, hate speech, rumour mongering, negative imitations and violence, etc.

“Before Facebook started enforcing its community rules on violence, many of us recount with trepidation the horrific violence that happened at New Zealand when a youth connected his camera to his facebook account and streamed live the rather animalistic killing of human beings at a mosque,” he said.

He, therefore, said regulatory agencies should look into “the following guidelines, towards the following – Protection of freedom of expression, Prohibition of outlawed practices and domestication of community guidelines to recognize specific outlawed practices, like indecent dressing.

“Hate speech and incitement to violence promote ethical use of social media, to check misinformation and disinformation need for fact checking, transparency and accountability, data privacy and security user verification and accountability, content moderation.

“Ensure fair and transparent algorithms promote on line safety for students and staff, collaboration with govt and civil society, support culture and local content.

“There should be digital literacy and education, emergency response protocols, collaboration with social media platforms, protection of vulnerable population, conventional processes and rules for adaptation have been jettisoned.

“Makers of mediated content, producers and makers of technology, mediated product consumers and indeed those who formulate media policies must seek continued adaptive means for the maximisation of converged media.”

According to him, “here at Veritas University, social media usage has been sometime very effective, socialising, informative, enlightening and educating. Unfortunately, it is also sometime very contentious and controversial.”

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed has condemned the recent price increment by Multichoice Nigeria Limited, Pay-TV operator, across its DStv and GOtv packages.

The student body urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address the issue expeditiously, saying that it will stands firmly against the unjustifiable price hike, especially given the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, spokesperson, NAN in a press statement Thursday, said that it is deplorable to witness such a significant increase in subscription fees in a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet.

“The rationale provided by Multichoice Nigeria Limited attributing the price increases to a “rise in the cost of business operations” in Nigeria is not acceptable. The impact of this price hike will undoubtedly burden the citizens further, exacerbating the financial strain already being experienced.

“It is imperative that the Federal Government and the National Assembly intervene to regulate such exorbitant price increments. The interests and welfare of Nigerian citizens must be safeguarded, and the authorities must ensure that companies operate with fairness and consideration towards their consumers,” she said.

NANS also emphasised that the Federal Government and the National Assembly must raise their voices against this injustice and take necessary steps to address this situation promptly. An urgent dialogue must be initiated to protect the interests of the Nigerian populace and prevent further exploitation.

“We call upon all stakeholders to collaborate in finding a sustainable solution that benefits the consumers and ensures equitable access to essential services such as pay-TV. It is vital that regulations are put in place to prevent arbitrary price hikes that disproportionately affect the average Nigerian.

“This unwarranted increase in subscription fees by Multichoice is a matter of grave concern as the Nigerian masses are already over burdened with inflation, NANS urges all relevant authorities to address this issue with the seriousness it deserves.

“We wish to state that failure by DSTV to revert to Status quo with the next 7 working days shall be met with a mass action to the Multi choice Headquarters in Abuja and Lagos,” the statement added.

Metrodigital Ltd., homegrown satellite pay television and owners of Silver Lake Television (SLTV), has promised to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians and shore up foreign exchange for the country.

Dr Ifeanyi Nwafor, the company’s managing director who stated this in an interview in Abuja, said that the plan is to create thousands of jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths, adding that dealers were already springing up across the country.

“Each dealer will have his own installer and offices would be opened in this regard. So, SLTV is going to help in creating a lot of jobs and will also create another platform for innovations,” he said.

The businessman said Nigeria’s focus was on leading the world’s industry. He noted that the Nigerian music industry was already making waves worldwide and expressed hope that Nigeria’s indigenous pay-TV industry would also experience the same quickly.

‘’The success will bring in foreign exchange earnings for the country,’’ he said.