By Taiwo Scholarstica
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful use of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), an umbrella body made up of 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 instruction, transmitted to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is expected to examine the relationship between digital platforms and Nigeria’s media industry, which has repeatedly complained about the use of its news content without compensation.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission said the investigation would cover major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
The statement noted that big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.
Also to be investigated are generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria. This follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the FCCPC to look into a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation.
According to the petition, the activities of the companies may be weakening fair competition, affecting the commercial survival of Nigerian media organisations, and violating the rights of publishers and content creators.
The commission noted that the inquiry comes at a time when media organisations are expressing growing concern over the impact of digital platforms on the sustainability of journalism.
The NPO is increasingly uncomfortable with major technology companies including Meta, Alphabet, X, 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.
The FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the investigation would be conducted in a transparent, independent, and evidence-driven manner.
Bello stated that the commission recognises the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth.
He added that their responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and consistent with Nigerian law.
He stressed that the investigation should not be seen as an indication that any company had been found guilty, adding that the inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing.
Instead, he noted that it is an opportunity to carefully examine the facts, hear from all affected parties, and determine whether any conduct has resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business practices.
The FCCPC said it would determine whether the alleged practices violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, or any other applicable law.
The probe will also examine claims of market dominance, the unauthorised scraping and commercial use of copyrighted news materials to train generative AI models, and complaints that publishers have been denied fair compensation for their content.
The investigation follows similar developments in other countries where governments have introduced measures requiring digital platforms to negotiate payment agreements with news publishers.
It also comes less than a year after the FCCPC imposed a 220 million dollar penalty on Meta over alleged breaches of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, a decision the company has appealed.
The latest move signals the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure technology companies operating in Nigeria comply with local laws and respect the rights of media organisations.