Worried by the dangers posed to the peace and security as well as democracy and corporate existence of the country, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Tuesday enjoined online publishers and social media influencers to refrain from disseminating fake news to the public.
At a dialogue with the group in Lagos which was a follow-up to the launch of the National Campaign against Fake News, the Minister stressed the need for all to shun fake news and do everything possible to stem its tide.
Describing the group as a critical Stakeholders, Lai observed that if the society loses confidence in the media, especially Social media because of fake news, the group would be the worst hit, a situation, he said, the country was heading to.
He told the group that the traditional media had signed on to the campaign hence the need for the Social media to join in the Campaign and carry a banner on their various platforms that says No To Fake News.
Lai said Nigerians are also being told to do two simple things before sharing any information on Facebook, Twitter or Whatsapp,that’s by asking how Credible the source is, or don’t share any information that you cannot vouch.
The Minister reaffirmed Federal Government position not to use Coercion or engage in censorship in order to fight the Facebook epidemic pointing out that the government believed that there are enough laws to fight the phenomenon.
He therefore appealed to the group and all Nigerians to join in fighting the fake news which he noted was aggravating the crises in the country.
“The war against fake news is a must-win. As a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation, Nigeria cannot afford an unbridled spread of fake news. This phenomenon is exploiting our fault lines to aggravate the crises in the country. Of course, you are aware of a recent BBC report that says fake news circulating in the social media is fuelling the farmers-herders crises in Nigeria. Gory pictures from other lands are circulated freely via Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, purportedly being from the killings in Benue or Plateau States.”. the Minister said.
According to the Minister, nations of the world and international organizations are taking steps against fake news. and that global media organizations are not left behind.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/02/news/impersonation-nigerian-billionaire-otedola-allegedly-suspends-twitter-acct/
