NPO pledges full cooperation with FCCPC in ‘Big Tech’ probe, hails Tinubu’s directive

The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) has committed to fully cooperating with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in its investigation into major global technology firms and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The NPO stated it would provide all necessary evidence to support the inquiry, which seeks to challenge the perceived lack of transparency and accountability in these companies' operations within Nigeria.

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The NPO, alongside its constituent bodies, stands ready to cooperate fully with the FCCPC during this inquiry, providing all necessary evidence to ensure a balanced digital economy that respects Nigerian sovereignty and the rights of Nigerian publishers.

This pledge follows President Bola Tinubu's directive on Monday, ordering the FCCPC to investigate global tech giants for alleged anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized use of content from Nigerian media organizations. The President's action was prompted by a joint appeal in February from various Nigerian press associations urging government intervention to protect the local press from the increasing dominance of global digital platforms over the nation's information landscape.

The NPO lauded President Tinubu's directive, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding the rights of Nigerian publishers. The organization stressed the need for the investigation to foster a balanced digital economy that respects Nigeria's sovereignty and protects its publishers. "The NPO, alongside its constituent bodies, stands ready to cooperate fully with the FCCPC during this inquiry, providing all necessary evidence to ensure a balanced digital economy that respects Nigerian sovereignty and the rights of Nigerian publishers," the press body stated.

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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.

Representing key media stakeholders including 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), the NPO highlighted that for years, big tech companies have operated with a significant deficit in transparency and accountability. This, they argue, has serious repercussions for journalism as a public-interest service in Nigeria. The organization recalled a March meeting with President Tinubu where they formally voiced concerns about the existential threat posed by Big Tech and AI companies, expressing satisfaction that the government has initiated this investigation.

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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.