NCC not responsible for monitoring social media content: Official

*The Nigerian Communications Commission informs a visiting civil society group, that the telecoms sector regulator’s consumer-centric mandate does not extend to controlling the content on social media platforms

Gbenga Kayode| ConsumerConnect

Following recent complaints by several stakeholders in the digital ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the Commission is not the regulator of the content on the social media networks.

ConsumerConnect reports the telecoms regulatory Commission made this submission during a recent visit of the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) to the NCC Corporate Head Office, in Abuja, FCT.

Led by Blessing Akinsolotu, Executive Secretary of the Council, the NCSCN during the visit sought the intervention of the Commission on what it described as the ‘worrisome and misleading’ content on social media platforms in the country’s cyberspace.

Akinsolotu stated: “We know that NCC, as the regulator of the telecoms industry, has a greater role to play in helping to curb the spread of fake news and incendiary content that Internet users put on social media platforms. “Therefore, we want NCC to partner with us in this regard.”

The NCSCN Executive Secretary also noted the situation demands immediate intervention of key stakeholders to ensure that the content of the social media and the Internet are credible and enhance national social cohesion.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, who received the group on behalf of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, informed the organisation that the telecoms regulator’s mandate does not extend to controlling the content of such media platforms.

Highlights of NCC’s consumer-centric regulatory activities

Muoka explained the major role of the NCC is to facilitate the deployment of telecoms infrastructure that provide different types of telecommunications services, including improving Broadband that enhances robust Internet experience, ensuring fair competition, and protecting telecoms consumers in the ecosystem.

The Director of Public Affairs also noted the Commission’s mandate includes making services available, accessible and affordable for Nigerians who may leverage such access to engage in digital social mediation for the benefit of the individual, businesses, and socioeconomic development of the country.

In the performance of its functions, Muoka further disclosed the Commission promotes collaboration and partnerships with different stakeholders, such as NCSCN, in creating awareness and promoting access to different categories of consumers in Nigeria.

The Commission, he said, looks forward to further collaboration with NCSCN in its efforts at aligning with the aspirations of users of telecommunications services across the West African country.

Objective of NCSCN’s visit to NCC, by Akinlosotu

The NCSCN, a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, commended the Commission for its people-oriented and consumer-centric regulatory activities.

Akinlosotu affirmed the Council also seeks collaboration with NCC to spread messages of the Commission’s consumer enlightenment programmes to Nigerians at the grassroots through its over 100-member Civil Society Organisation (CSOs).

He as well invited the NCC to partner with the NCSCN in hosting a conference aimed at tackling the seemingly intractable diffusion of fake news, particularly on social media networks.