The Nigerian Press Organisation has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for directing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to launch a formal investigation into major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and the unlawful exploitation of journalistic content.
The NPO said the directive follows a joint petition submitted to the Federal Government by its constituent bodies: the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
In a statement signed by Mr. Frank Aigbogun, deputy president, NPAN/NPO, the organisation said:
“When a delegation of the NPO met President Tinubu in March to formally complain about the existential threat posed to the media by Big Tech and AI companies operating in Nigeria, we did so with very serious concern.
“We are therefore pleased that the government has commenced this investigation. Beyond the clear and present danger posed by Big Tech’s anti-competitive behaviour, their lack of transparency and accountability also carries very serious consequences for journalism as a public-interest good,” Aigbogun said.
According to the statement, dominant digital platforms, including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter) and various generative AI companies, have for years undermined fair competition and the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations by exploiting original journalistic content without equitable compensation.
“This, for us, is a first major step in the journey to finally hold tech giants accountable, especially in light of the progress recorded in other parts of the world, including South Africa,” the statement said.
The NPO welcomed the assurance of Mr Tunji Bello, FCCPC chief executive officer, given following a request from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Idris Mohammed, that the inquiry would be conducted independently, transparently and on an evidence-based footing.
The organisation said it and its constituent bodies stand ready to cooperate fully with the FCCPC during the inquiry, providing all necessary evidence toward what it described as a balanced digital economy that respects Nigerian sovereignty and the rights of Nigerian publishers.
