The increasing dangers of the use of social media has stirred concern from the Minister of State for Labor and Employment, Festus Keyamo.
He has called for the regulation of the social media so as to curb the peddling of fake news.
The social media came with numerous advantages, especially as it helped the spread of news and information among people.
However, it also poses numerous dangers and threats, especially in a country like Nigeria.
Keyamo noted that while social media had its advantages, measures must be put in place to sanitise the system.
Social Media Has Come To Stay
The Minister spoke through his special adviser, Niyi Fatogun, in a media workshop on ‘Balancing Ethics and Patriotism: the obligations of journalists to their country’.
The event was organised by the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa.
Addressing participants, he explained that fake news was capable of destroying the fabric of Nigeria and must be curtailed at all cost.
The minister also said that laws must be put in place that illegalise fake news.
“Social media has come to stay. Gone are those days when we used to beg editors or be at their mercy to get your views out there,” when an editor decides which story to put there and which story to ignore.
“Today everyone puts their thoughts out uncensored which is a very good thing.
“It is good for mankind. However, we also know that it comes with its own problems.
How To Kill Fake News
“We must make sure we don’t kill the good because of the bad. So the best [we can do] is to support the good and mitigate against the bad and ugly.
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“You kill fake news by killing fake social media accounts.
“Secondly, we must make laws that illegalise fake news that are capable of destroying the fabric of the nation.
“Fake news is capable of destroying the fabrics of the nation.
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“Those forwarding such news must also be held liable….such should not be tolerated.”
