Despite the abundance of proofs about its existence, Nigeria's minister of information Lai Mohammed has said the country is not trying to pass a law that can stifle dissensions. The Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019, otherwise known as the Social Media Bill, if passed, will give sweeping power to the government to clamp down on critics and also shut down the internet. But Mohammed told state-owned German broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, that such bill is not before the Nigerian Senate. "I'm not even aware of the bill," Mohammed told DW's Tim Sebastian in London. Nebulous provisions, according to critics of the bill, portend danger to journalists and for freedom of speech.

Source: The Guardian February 01, 2020 07:52 UTC