Information minister again cautions Nigerians against hate speech

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has advised Nigerians to learn how to discern factual from fake stories in the media to prevent disaffection in the country.

The minister made the appeal at the opening of the 47th meeting of the National Council on Information holding in Kaduna with the theme, “Tackling Fake News And Hate Speech To Enhance Peace and National Unity’.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Grace Gekpe, noted that democracy relies on the people being informed about government plans, policies programmes and decisions to enable them make necessary input.

He further explains that many crisis had been fueled in Nigeria by false or exaggerated information.

”Social media is pivotal in the dissemination of information to the society, however, if not properly handled, information divulged could have a devastating effect on the society”, he said.

According to him, internet platforms such as Facebook, Google, Twitter and You tube greatly shape online discussions.

He noted that reporting stories based on ideologies rather than facts have become the bane of such platforms and need to be curbed.

He also charge information sector to play its role in minimizing or totally eradicating the menace of fake news and hate speech.

”Therefore major stakeholders in all public and private information sectors, the onus lies on us to influence positively the nature and content of information that goes to public.

”We have great responsibility to ensure that our nation is not divided through the abuse of the media,” he said.

He added that there was need “to take far reaching decisions on fake news and hate speech to enhance peace and unity for National development.”

On his part, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said on the sideline of the event, that the issue of hate speech and fake news have become a national concern.

Adekeye who represented El-Rufai, at the meeting, said the issue are becoming dangerous to the survival of the nation.

According to him, there is need to educate ordinary people to be able to understand and differentiate facts from fiction.

”We cannot compromise on the question of media literacy, helping many people to navigate their balance of information that is available to them.”

He said also while taken care of media consumers by educating them there is also the need for stronger law against those disseminating fake news

“There should be no compromise for those creating fake news, strong action needs to be taken against them,” he said.

He noted that fragile societies are being threatened by reckless dissemination of fake news creating tension between societies, resulting to violence.

According to him, there is also need for continued vigilance and educating people to make the decision between what is true and fiction, as well as tracking and prosecuting purveyors of fake news and hate speeches.