FreeSpeech vs FakeNews - The law is there, but it's usefulness is in doubt.

Back in 2019, Nigerian legislators came up with an Anti-social Media Bill to censor the widespread of unverifiable news across social media handles.

This idea was not welcomed by many. It was rather seen as a move that could stifle free speech. Antecedents of such establishments in countries that are better off than Nigeria has already proved that such establishments can be misused as an agent of massive censorship. Repeating the same in a lawless country like Nigeria will turn out to be a bizarre experience.

Bizarre in the sense that there are loopholes to all laws and we have a long history of presenting decent paperwork with multiple clauses in our constitution, but when it comes to execution, the law itself becomes useless.

For example, many businesses are evading tax, we experience mass importation of contraband goods through the Nigeria-Cameroon border, we have laws against the consumption of harmful drugs. On the macro level, we also have laws with clearly outlined punishment against Corruption, terrorism and whatnot.

If someone breaks any of these laws without any desire to be punished, you will notice that the law is there, but its usefulness is only on paper. The practical aspect of it is useless, so to speak, except when the indictment is against the poor working class.

Is that how the law is supposed to be?

Talk about "Equality before the law". It's like giving false hope.

The country is not the same for everyone. The poor working-class citizens and those in the higher echelon are living a world apart. Funny enough, this is not limited to Nigeria. The same legal abuse is happening almost everywhere.

It's a shame.

I wonder when we will be able to trust the law to make sure that no one will suffer unjustly.

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As regards censorship and free speech, I'm glad to see how things are taking turns at the moment. Many people get to say what they want in places like this without being bothered by an indictment for saying something against Government.

Nonetheless, lemme use this opportunity to advise us;

"Don't make the mistake of considering fake news as a part of free speech."

That is what I always say to myself whenever I write or speak. It may come off as a warning disguised as an advice, but that's just my way of reminding myself (and every other person) that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.

Don't allow your freedom of speech on here to be a hotbed for fake news.

Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Comma
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Crossposted on my Account