*Alleges Media Exploitation
Petitions by key stakeholders in the Media and communication world namely NPAN, GOCOP, NUJ, and BON made to the Nigerian government has prompted President Tinubu’s administration to direct the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC ) to Investigate Big Tech and AI platforms operating in Nigeria.Africans & Diaspora
Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Nigeria’s FCCPC following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.
The Commission is also mandated to Also to investigate Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria.News ecosystem.
This according Platforms Africa reports ignited a directive from President Tinubu to FCCPC to look into a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO).
The NPO comprises the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The Federal Government’s position was communicated to the FCCPC in a letter signed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.Executive Branch
The investigation promises to open a new vista in Nigeria’s media history. In recent years, concerns have been raised by the Nigerian media industry over the growing impact of certain digital platforms on the sustainability of the country’s news ecosystem.Africans & Diaspora
Specifically, the NPO is increasingly uncomfortable with major technology companies including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and certain Generative AI platforms, citing practices capable of undermining fair competition, the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and the legitimate rights of content creators and publishers.
Reacting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting an independent, transparent, and evidence based investigation.
“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth. Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and consistent with Nigerian law,” said Bello.