By Abel Zwànke, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and some practicing journalists in the state have raised serious concerns over the growing trend of fake news dissemination through social media platforms, particularly Facebook, allegedly fueled by politicians and other citizens in the state.
Correspondents based in Lafia and Keffi on Monday lamented that some political actors have deliberately sidelined the mainstream media in favour of social media influencers who promote unverified and misleading information for political gains.
According to the journalists, this emerging pattern not only undermines professionalism in journalism but also contributes to misinformation, public confusion, and political tension.
One of the correspondents who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated, “The very act of Nasarawa politicians avoiding the traditional media and preferring to spread propaganda via Facebook is mischievous and speaks volumes about their intent. If your message is credible and genuine, why avoid professional journalists?”
The NUJ Chairman in Nasarawa State, Comrade Salihu Alkali, in an interview with our Correspondent described the development as a threat to democracy and press freedom.
He said, “We are deeply concerned that some political actors are engaging the services of unregulated social media influencers to spread falsehoods. These individuals, who have no background in journalism ethics or verification standards, are being used to manipulate public opinion and discredit legitimate news sources.”
Alkali warned that the state is heading toward an information crisis if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
“There should be regulation before the state descends into anarchy because no one is checking the activities of these social media users. Social media is a good tool, but who is checking them?” he asked.
According to him, both Nasarawa State and the country at large are “sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode” if the use of social media remains unchecked.
He advised politicians to adopt more credible mediums that employ trained professionals and uphold ethical standards.
“Politicians should engage with credible media organizations that have editorial gatekeepers to verify and balance reports. That’s the only way to maintain public trust and avoid crisis,” he added.
The NUJ Chairman vowed to intensify media literacy campaigns and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to combat the menace of fake news and uphold the integrity of the profession.
