FG feels threatened by online commentary –Report

    
The latest report of a United States-based non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights, Freedom House, says the Nigerian Internet space is “partly free.”

The report entitled “Freedom on the Net 2013” assessed the degree of Internet and digital media freedom covering 60 countries.

In Nigeria, the report highlights how the country fared in terms on Internet censorship, while also analysing the infrastructural and economic barriers to Internet access, violations of user rights—including surveillance, privacy, and repercussions for online activity.

The survey states that despite the fact that the Federal Government set machinery in motion to ensure that more ICT tools were available to the citizenry, under the period review, Nigerian Internet users were increasingly suspicious of online censorship and surveillance.

It notes that while there was no blocking or filtering of online content during the coverage period, the government increased its criticism of published materials online and social media discourse through dedicated staff monitors and commentators.

“Government manipulation of online content has not been a huge issue in Nigeria. Nevertheless, there is some indication that the government is beginning to feel threatened by critical online commentary,” the report states.

While observing that the new media are playing an increasingly important role in mobilising people for real life protests and providing updates on unfolding events in the country, the report notes that the Internet space has been “relatively free from restrictions to date,” mainly due to the “complex nature of Nigeria’s Internet framework,” which makes it difficult to carry out systematic filtering or censorship.

The report argues that many Nigerians are worried that the new Cyber-Crime Bill currently before the National Assembly may infringe on “constitutional right to privacy” as well as allow for “voice and data monitoring.”

The survey says cyber-attacks have increased in Nigeria, but notes that the majority of them have been targeted at government websites and carried out by the Naija Cyber-Hacktivists, a group, it argues, has claimed responsibility for almost all cyber breaches to date.

“In response to growing instances of cybercrime in Nigeria, the government has increased its measures to crackdown against criminal activity online. Meanwhile, broader conversations on issues of cyber-security have also focused on how to protect Internet freedom,” the survey states.

According to the report, although information communication technologies and Internet penetration have continued to spread across the country, access to the Internet and other digital technologies is “still limited for many Nigerians.”

It links the gains recorded in Internet penetration to the sustained growth of mobile phone usage and data services over the past few years as well as the increasing investments in ICT infrastructure and growing competition between telecoms service providers.

The report lauds the Mobile Number Portability initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission which was inaugurated in April 2013, saying it has “forced service providers to offer cheaper plans based on time (daily, weekly, or monthly) or use (social media-focused or messaging).”

The authors of the report lists limited broadband, high costs, epileptic power supply, as some of the leading obstacles to Internet access in the country.

It argues, “Although many providers use the word ‘broadband’ in their promotional materials, in practice, there is limited broadband service available in Nigeria. Besides, the quality of service remains poor, with users frequently complaining about their inability to enjoy data services.

“Nevertheless, access to ICTs is characterised by a large urban-rural divide. High costs are another major impediment to Internet access. While increased competition among service providers has made the cost of access more affordable for many Nigerians, the country’s average minimum wage still stands at about US$115 per month.

“In addition to cost, power cuts continue to disrupt service and access, with many users reporting the need to use private generators to stay online during outage. While the country’s electricity supply improved notably in 2012, it saw a huge decline in 2013 and Nigeria is still reportedly the largest importer of private power generators in Africa, despite the country’s status as an oil-rich country.”

Noting that the ICT market in Nigeria has expanded considerably over the past decade, it adds that the growth of Internet Service Providers and Fixed Wireless Access providers has slowed in recent years with the rise in mobile access.

Copyright PUNCH.