By Amos Tauna
In Nigeria, the National Council on Information, NCI, has noted with dismay the alarming consequence of social media in the peaceful coexistence of the country and enjoined information managers at states level to create websites to counter report of misinformation posted on social media.
The meeting also observed that social media has no address, as such vetting and editing posting in social media may be difficult, hence the urgent need to take stringent measures in checking conventional media and their programmes.
A communique issued at the extra-ordinary meeting on hate speech, fake news and national unity advised, “Information managers at the state level should open a website to counter report of any misinformation posted by the social media as quickly as the Hate Speeches, Misinformation and Fake News are posted.
“Setting up a council to regulate the use of social media in Nigeria. It will be better to kill quickly whatever postings on social media assumed or presumed to be hate speeches or fake news or misinformation by the information managers in various state.
“The social media may take over the 2019 elections because Nigeria people have come to rely more and belief the social media over the conventional media.
“Federal and State Ministries of Information should use jingles to promote peace and also they should come up with cartoons on the T.V. & Paper telling us the dangers of fake news and hate speeches.
“The collaboration must start with National Orientation Agency, MOA, and the state governments. There is also need to start talking to those responsible for law and enforcement of justice to address the issues of citizen taking laws into their hands.”
The meeting observed with concern the need for urgent emphasise on the welfare of the people was paramount, noting that people well fed will listen to their government.