Paradigm Initiative, an NGO, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill already passed by the National Assembly.
Mr Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of the organisation made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 2018 Internet Freedom Forum organised by Paradigm Initiative with the support of Facebook and other sponsors.
The bill as passed contained seven clauses covering aspects that define freedoms, rights and certain punishment as well as issues of hate speeches and fake news.
According to Sesan, fake news and hate speeches were major concerns of Paradigm Initiative and other stakeholders and the bill adequately addressed
He said the NGO was partnering with Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and a few other partners to check online platforms where fake news was being shared.
He said over the next few months, particularly as Nigeria was going towards elections, Paradigm would check for fake news items and look for information to dispute and correct them.
Also, Mrs Teki Falconer, Former Executive Director, Data Protection Commission, Ghana, said all stakeholders in ICT had a role to play in making the Digital Environment safe.
Falconer said governments and individuals also had roles to play in making the digital environment safe by being proactive and not reactive.
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