Social Media Bill: Govt wants to silence dissenting voices – Kate Henshaw

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Kate Henshaw at the conference against “Social Media Bill” held at Kairos Hub, Lekki Lagos

Multi-award-winning Nollywood actress and producer, Kate Henshaw has disclosed that the Nigerian government has a hidden agenda with the proposed social media bill being considered by the National Assembly.

The actress stated this as she joined other celebrities at a conference organized by Nigerian foremost rapper Jude Abaga, also known as M.I Abaga in taking a stand against the “Social Media Bill”.

The event tagged “National Conference on Shrinking Civic Space” was held at Kairos Hub, Lekki Lagos, and was put together by TASCK and supported by OSIWA, an NGO that works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies in West Africa and make governments accountable to their citizens.

Now set for third reading at the Senate after its public hearing on Monday, March 9, 2020, the controversial bill was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa representing Niger East.

The Bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to make provisions for the protection from internet falsehood and manipulations and for related matters, 2019,” passed the second reading of the Senate in November 2019.

However, Henshaw who is also a politician said there are already existing laws that are enough to address all possible crimes in using social media.

Participants at the event held at held at Kairos Hub, Lekki Lagos

According to her, “in fact, cybercrime Act 2015 which was assented by former president Goodluck Jonathan in was so broad that it provided room for abuse and ‘Enough is Enough’, Paradigm Initiatives and Media Right Agenda are challenging the Section 24 of the Act at the Supreme court.”

“Why should someone be punished because some set of people misinterpreted information wrongly? She asked.

“Our existing laws are enough to address all possible crimes in using social media, why do we need to create a new one to silence dissenting voices if they have nothing to hide,” she added.

Other celebrities at the gathering include Banky W, Lynxxx, Folu Storms, Chigurl, Dija, Dotun Coolfm, Jeff Bankz, Dj Sose, DJ Lambo.

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