By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Hon. John Lebo has warned that any leader who underrates the power of social media is sitting on quick sand and stress the fact that the government has lost its traditional monopoly of the tools of mass propaganda.
In a comment on a Facebook post by Cross River born, U.S based develop consultant, Princewill Odidi, the Speaker says he believes it is only a matter of time before the social media becomes regulated.
“The regular government has lost its traditional monopoly of the tools of mass propaganda, in fact information is available more on social media than the regular media, now more people are living in the age of higher consciousness and in most cases they are ahead of government and business development.
“What I see as a challenge to the new media is the lack of regulation. It’s an all comers affair with everyone professing to be at the 5th level of intelligence. However, the benefit is more than the challenges. And I have personally outlined it as a critical conveyor belt for leadership development. Any leader who underrates the power of social media is seating on quick sand” Lebo said.
Reacting to a question from Kennedy Nsan whether social media can be truly regulated, Lebo said “Yes, Social media can be regulated and in due course it will be regulated, have you seen anything viable and sustainable that is not regulated?”
He also stressed that regulation did not mean a “government regulatory framework” but a “technology driven regulation that protects privacy and innovation, control privacy and protect the rights and honor of users.”
Furthermore, he explained that social media is classified in law as belonging to the realm of international law. “In contract terms under conflict of law, these laws are beyond the jurisdiction of national entities like Nigeria” he said, adding that “The regulation of social media will be handled vide technological advances and innovation and through international treaties or conventions, once Nigeria signs such a treaty, then we are bound and that treaty can be enforced in Nigeria.”
It will be recalled that last year, the social media space was awash with outrage from millions of Nigerians who expressed angst against the Nigerian Senate for reportedly debating a bill to regulate social media in the country.