The House of Representatives has pledged to enhance libel and slander laws in Nigeria to safeguard the dignity of Nigerians against unjustified personal attacks.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, made this declaration during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
“I want to clarify that the House has no intention to suppress free speech; rather, our aim is to protect the dignity of individuals and the integrity of public discourse,” he stated.
He assured that the House would ensure that the laws were balanced, allowing for constructive criticism while shielding individuals and institutions from malicious and baseless attacks.
“While we promote freedom of expression and constructive dialogue, we must also be mindful of the perils of fake news and campaigns of slander and defamation,” he remarked.
He emphasized that comments, particularly against the President and senior government officials, must be constructive and unbiased, devoid of slander and defamation.
He noted an increase in defamation campaigns on social media involving the deliberate spread of false and misleading information with the intent to harm the reputation of individuals or organizations.
“These campaigns often target political opponents, aiming to undermine their credibility, integrity, and public trust,” he explained.
He highlighted that the recent attacks on the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, were a result of unbridled and unaccountable social media.
Such actions, he asserted, not only undermined the integrity of the nation’s democracy but also corroded the fabric of national unity.
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