x

Social media promoting fake news, hate speech in Nigeria – Council

The African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) says the use of social media has heightened the spread of fake news and hate speech in Nigeria.Prof. Nmandi Ekeanyanwu, National President of Nigerian chapter of the council, said this at the 22nd International Conference and Annual General Meeting of ACCE in Kano. Our correspondent reports that the theme of the conference  was “Mediating security in a new media age and in COVID-19 era; Discourse, Technology and Society”.“Nigeria and many other African nations face dire national security challenges caused by worsening economic conditions and poor leadership across all spectrum of the society.“The situation is made worse in the new media age, where some level of sophistication has been noted to accompany crimes and national security concerns in most body these nations,” he said.Ekeanyanwu, represented by his deputy, Mr Abdullahi Bashir, said the new media age has also heightened the incidence of fake news and hate speech to further polarise the debate that instead of fighting “them” we are fighting “us”.“It is very important for researchers to come and deliberate on solutions to all the insecurity issues and way forward.“We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and chart paths that will lead communication receiving its pride of place in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University Kano (BUK), Prof. Sagir Abbas, said the issue of security was upper most in the minds of all African citizens.“Security situation has over the years, increasingly deteriorated on scope, magnitude and dimension.“It had expanded from insurgency in the North-East to banditry in North-West and North-Central to kidnapping in nearly all zones and cessation-related violence in the South-East and to some extent the South-West.“Rising poverty levels and youth unemployment is largely responsible for the insecurity situation and the media factor.“The theme of this conference is one fundamental bangle worth probing and it will come up with a correct analysis by using the media to improve and enhance our national security,” he said.Retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Consultant Director,  Corporate Affairs  and Information, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, presented the keynote paper at the event.Usman said in the paper titled- The media and security in the new media age and post COVID-19 pandemic era, that joint effort was needed to curtail the spread of fake news in Nigeria.“All hands must be on deck to use the media and fight insurgency,” he said

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Deaconess Oborevwori launches Measles-Rubella vaccine campaign in Delta.

By Anne Azuka Wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess...

Oborevwori: Delta safe for investment as Premium Trust Bank opens branch.

By Anne Azuka Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on...

Cholera outbreak kills four in Bokkos LGA, others hospitalized.

By Isreal Adamu, Jos A cholera outbreak has been reported...

Gov Mutfwang: Plateau on path to prosperity at World Bank event.

By  Isreal Adamu,Jos Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb  Mutfwang, was...

National Orthopedic Hospital Jos commence  operations 

By Isreal Adamu, Jos Managing Director of the National Orthopedic...

Laws of Political Gravity Akpabio and the Pundits

By PATRICK WEMAMBU,Sometimes politics resembles one of the weirder...

FCT CROSSJOF Fecilitates With Amb Soni Abang Over SSDC Appointment

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Cross River State Journalists Forum...

Abuja-Keffi road project: CHEC assures of June 2026 completion date

Lucy OmakpoThe Federal Government has expressed its commitment to...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img