Bukola Saraki has reiterated his current stand on the alleged attempt by the Senate to censor the social media which has recently led to agitations from different human rights bodies.
Bukola Saraki
The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Friday assured that the senate would not censor the media.
This is contained in a statement by his Media Assistant, Bamikole Omishore, made available to the newsmen in Abuja. The statement said that Mr. Saraki gave the assurance when members of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) led by its president, Olufemi Awoyemi, visited him.
It said the group’s visit was in connection with the widely criticized ‘’Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill 2015’’ popularly tagged ‘’Anti-Social Media Bill’’.
Mr. Saraki told the group that he would not support any form of censorship of the media, saying that the 8th Senate remained committed to the principles of fair, responsible and open engagement.
“The Senate has no intention to pass any legislation to control or gag the press,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He, however, charged the group to do its part to ensure that international best practices were adopted, while also abiding by the ethics of journalism.