The Coalition of Northern Youth Assembly (CNYA), Kano Chapter, has called on the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, to spearhead legislation aimed at discouraging the commercial exploitation of terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity on digital platforms.
In an open letter addressed to Senator Barau, the group expressed concern over what it described as the growing monetisation of insecurity-related content within Nigeria’s digital information ecosystem.
Signed by its Chairman, Mr. Nworisa Michael, the letter argued that the engagement-driven nature of digital platforms has created financial incentives for content creators to sensationalise violence and national tragedies for profit.
“Today, digital platforms reward engagement. The more views, impressions, reactions, shares and interactions a piece of content generates, the greater the potential financial and commercial benefits for its creators,” the group stated.
It noted that content centred on violence, fear and insecurity often attracts heightened public attention, thereby increasing opportunities for commercial gain.
“As a result, content centred on violence, fear and insecurity often receives disproportionate attention because it attracts public curiosity and emotional reactions. This creates an environment where national tragedies can become commercially valuable commodities within the digital marketplace,” the letter read.
According to the coalition, criminal groups seek not only to inflict physical harm but also to spread fear, gain notoriety and dominate public discourse.
“When digital systems financially reward the continuous amplification of violent acts, there exists the risk that the objectives of these criminal actors are indirectly reinforced through the attention economy,” it said.
The group, however, stressed that its proposal was not intended to suppress freedom of expression or hinder the work of journalists.
“We wish to state unequivocally that this proposal is not intended to hinder journalism, suppress public information, restrict legitimate commentary or undermine constitutionally guaranteed press freedom,” Michael said.
“A democratic society depends on a free and responsible press. Investigative journalism, security analysis, academic research, documentary reporting and other forms of public-interest communication must continue to enjoy full legal protection.”
The coalition proposed a legislative framework that would require digital platforms operating in Nigeria to review and restrict monetisation and engagement-based incentives attached to content that glorifies, sensationalises, exploits or commercially profits from terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and other violent crimes.
It also urged platforms to examine algorithmic systems that may disproportionately promote insecurity-related content because of its ability to generate traffic and engagement.
“The objective of this proposal is not censorship but responsibility,” the group said. “It is not an attempt to prevent citizens from knowing about security challenges affecting the nation. Rather, it seeks to ensure that information relating to terrorism, banditry and violent crime serves its primary purpose of informing the public without creating incentives that may encourage sensationalism or the commercialisation of fear and national suffering.”
The coalition called on Senator Barau to initiate and champion a bill on the matter and facilitate consultations involving media practitioners, digital platforms, security experts, civil society organisations and legal professionals.
“As the Deputy President of the Senate and one of the nation’s foremost lawmakers, we respectfully call upon you to initiate and champion a bill on this matter,” the letter stated.
CNYA said it was willing to participate in future consultations and policy discussions, insisting that tackling insecurity requires not only military and law enforcement responses but also reforms that address the broader systems and incentives surrounding the dissemination of insecurity-related content.
“We believe that addressing insecurity requires not only military and law-enforcement responses but also thoughtful reforms that examine the broader systems and incentives surrounding the dissemination of insecurity-related content,” the group added.
