Diverse reactions have followed the federal government’s decision to roll out a National Central Information Control Agency (NCICA), a body that is to be tasked with licensing journalists, bloggers, influencers, and every other individual or body that engages in any form of information dissemination, either for profit or leisure.
Recall that last month, a bill was raised in the National Assembly seeking new measures to curb what has now been termed foreign infiltration into Kalakuta media. The bill noted that the Kalakuta media has increasingly become less of its usual self, requiring tighter supervisory measures. Sources close to the issue stated that the move is following several cases of defamation and misinformation, of which federal government officials and lawmakers have found themselves at the receiving end.
The NCICA is set to have the same level of national security clearance as the Department of State Security and will be reporting directly to the president. Under this agency, it is expected that abuse of the powers of the press will be at an all-time low, with citizens becoming more information-conscious and providers of information becoming more responsible.
According to a member of the committee who has since fled the country, people will still be free to do whatever they want, provided they get a license. This license will cover the holder’s right to speak under set conditions, subject to further review by a panel set up by the agency. A list of rules will be released and updated every now and then. Individuals who run afoul of the rules will receive a strike against their license. Five strikes mean the person could have their license revoked. In the worst-case scenario, they would be compulsorily employed as a government spokesperson or face jail time, depending on how terrible the offences are.
The committee member also stated that provisions will be made for citizens to earn patriotic points if they disseminate information that portrays the country in a good light. These patriotic points, however, are also not automatically guaranteed. They will only be provided after other stipulated conditions are met.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours that a super license will be provided to public office holders, their families, and other citizens who can afford it, fully guaranteeing them freedom of speech, which is not subject to any board review. The presidency has vehemently denied this.
Speaking to members of the press, one of the early NCICA licensees called the initiative a welcome development. “It’s still democratic. It is news of the people, for the people, and as approved by the federal government. There will be no space for banger boys and girls or posting for clicks or rage bait. People will be posting and generally communicating responsibly,” he said.
Commenting on the issue, a veteran journalist who pleaded anonymity stated that these regulations have been coming for a long time. “If you look at Kalakuta’s history, you will realise that it is littered with abusers of human rights and attacks on freedoms of the press. The walls have always been closing on free speech. Only now has it actually become officially systemised. There’s a reason why I’m pleading anonymity for this statement I’m giving; very soon, journalists will be rounded up en masse and sent into re-education or rehabilitation centres. And that’s exactly why I will be leaving the country in the coming hours,” he said.
In other developments, the United Nations has sent a strongly worded email to the Kalakuta government stating that it will not sit and watch while the fundamental freedom of expression is abused. The secretary general of the organisation further noted that observers and peacekeepers will be sent over to monitor and observe the situation, following which the organisation will then decide whether the one strongly worded email is enough or whether to send another one.
Professional journalists and broadcasters, through their various bodies, have released blanket statements swearing to fight for free speech till the end. According to them, not everyone who posts online or uses any form of media is a journalist and that agencies like NCICA would increase the level of attacks against journalists. For their own part, the Association of Banger Boys and Blogger Girls (ABBOBG) has sent an envoy to the leaders of the National Assembly to plead for the easing of some of the stipulations in the policies establishing the agency.
Meanwhile, the newly established agency has released a memo banning satires and other forms of “unapproved speech”. The agency also stated that professionals working in various media houses are to receive their licences in the next five working days or face the wrath of the law.
It was learned that members of the planning committee for the newly established NCICA are set to be conferred with national honours at the next Independence Day celebration gala for their contribution to peace and national stability.
Oluwagbenga Kolawole loves reading, writing and satirising political and social issues. When he’s not doing that, he’s blowing bubbles and fighting crime. He writes from Abeokuta, Nigeria.
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