FCCPC Investigates Meta, X, Others Over Media Content Claims

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commenced an investigation into Meta, X and other global technology companies over allegations surrounding the use of media content and practices said to be affecting Nigeria’s news industry.

The probe followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu after the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) petitioned the Presidency over concerns that the activities of major digital platforms were threatening the sustainability of media organisations in the country.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.

According to the commission, the investigation will also cover Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria.

The Federal Government conveyed the President’s directive through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The petition was submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation, comprising 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 media bodies alleged that Meta, Alphabet, X, formerly Twitter, and some Generative AI platforms had engaged in practices capable of undermining fair competition, weakening the financial viability of Nigerian media organisations and infringing on the rights of publishers and content creators.

Responding to the allegations, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the commission would conduct a transparent, objective and evidence-based inquiry.

“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth.

“Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent and consistent with Nigerian law,” Bello said.

He emphasised that the inquiry should not be interpreted as a presumption of guilt against any of the companies involved.

“This inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing. Rather, 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,” he added.

According to the commission, investigators will examine allegations of abuse of market dominance and other anti-competitive conduct by the companies named in the petition.

The inquiry will also focus on claims that copyrighted news reports, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works were extracted, scraped or commercially used without authorisation to train Generative Artificial Intelligence models.

Another key issue is whether Nigerian media organisations have been denied fair commercial agreements or adequate compensation for the use of their content by global technology companies.

The FCCPC recalled that it had previously investigated Meta over alleged breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, leading to a 2025 court judgment imposing a $220 million penalty on the company. Meta has appealed the ruling.

The commission also cited South Africa, where an investigation by the country’s Competition Commission led to an agreement under which Google would pay local news organisations about R688 million, equivalent to roughly $40 million annually, for between three and five years as compensation for the use of their content.