The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it is not the regulator of the contents of social media.
The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, made the remark when he received on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), led by its Executive Secretary, Blessing Akinsolotu.
Akinsolotu had sought the intervention of the Nigerian Communications commission on the worrisome and misleading content of social media platforms.
According to Muoka, the major role of the telecom regulator is to ease the distribution of telecom infrastructure, including improving broadband that enhances robust Internet experience, ensuring fair competition as well as the protection of telecom consumers.
Muoka further said the NCC in the performance of its duties promotes collaboration and partnerships with different stakeholders, in creating awareness and promoting access to different categories of consumers in the country.
He stated that the commission looks forward to advancing collaboration with NCSCN in its efforts to align with the aspirations of users of telecommunications services across the country.
Earlier, the NCSCN Executive Secretary, Blessing Akinsolotu, had observed that the NCC as the regulator of the telecoms industry, has a greater role to play in helping to curb the spread of fake news and inflammatory content that Internet users put on social media platforms.
Akinsolotu commended NCC for its people-oriented and consumer-centric regulatory activities.
The NCSCN Executive Secretary also seeks collaboration with NCC to spread messages of the commission’s consumer enlightenment programmes to Nigerians at the grassroots.
