The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), a joint umbrella body for the country’s major media associations, has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to investigate the activities of major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria over their treatment of publishers and their alleged unfair use of journalistic content.
The investigation follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to conduct a formal inquiry into the operations of major digital platforms in Nigeria. According to the NPO, the decision came after the organisation and its member bodies submitted a joint petition to the Federal Government, raising concerns about the growing impact of Big Tech companies on Nigeria’s media industry.
The NPO, which includes 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), said it had met with President Tinubu in March 2026 to explain the challenges facing Nigerian media organisations.
According to the organisation, dominant digital platforms including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and several generative AI companies have, over the years, benefited from original journalistic content produced by Nigerian publishers without providing fair compensation. It said these practices have weakened the commercial sustainability of many media organisations and raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and fair competition in the country’s digital economy.
The NPO described the government’s decision to launch an investigation as an important step towards ensuring that global technology companies operating in Nigeria respect the rights of local publishers and compete fairly. It noted that similar efforts to address the relationship between digital platforms and news publishers have taken place in other countries, including South Africa.
The organisation also welcomed the assurance from the Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, that the investigation would be independent, transparent, and evidence-based. The Commission is expected to conduct the inquiry following a request from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris.
The NPO said it is ready to cooperate fully with the FCCPC by providing relevant information and evidence to support the investigation. It expressed hope that the outcome would help create a more balanced digital marketplace where Nigerian publishers are fairly treated and adequately rewarded for the value of their journalism.
