Abstract:
T
his study "Social Media Regulation in Nigeria and
the Implications on Digital Rights in a Democracy"
examines the implications of social media regulation
in Nigeria and the implications on digital rights in a
democracy. The libertarian press theory forms theoretical
framework for the study. It was revealed that social media
regulation is an infringement on the fundamental human right
of free expression, social media regulation constitutes a
serious violation of Nigerian rights to freedom of
expression and access to information, social media
regulation also contradicts the democratic principle of
individual autonomy- the idea that no-one should be subject
to rules which have been imposed by others and social media
regulation is a prove that Nigeria is practicing autocracy and not democracy as we have today. The study recommends
that Nigerians should be allowed freedom of expression in
a democratic dispensation, social media regulations should
be done by reason particularly by subscribers not the
government and social media regulation contradicts the
cornerstone of democracy and should be suspended with
immediate effect. The study concludes that social media
regulation is restriction of access to digital rights which
allow people to access, use, create and publish digital media,
as well as access and use computers, other electronic
devices and communications networks.
