Fake news and hate speech are twin evils capable of derailing the progressive course of a nation.
Participants at a two-day workshop on “Broadcast ecology and politics in Nigeria” organized by the National Broadcasting Commission came to this conclusion after an x-ray of events leading to the 2015 and 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
The event which began on Wednesday in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, highlighted roles played by different stakeholders, particularly the media in the electioneering process.
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission while presenting a paper on the “Economic implications of fake news and hate speech in broadcasting: the Nigerian perspective” emphasized the need for media outlets to give out truthful information at all times.
Failure to do this the commission’s spokesperson, Osita Nwaja, argued leads to the pursuit of narrow interests through the spread of fake news.
“Regrettably, when the guardians of the truth themselves become embroiled in untruthfulness, ordinary citizens suddenly have nowhere and no one else to turn to.
“The universal media guard roles of elevating facts over fiction, of advancing integrity are what should also govern the operations of the Nigerian media.”
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission represented the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje noted that the workshop was timely following the notice of election issued by the commission ahead of the 2023 general election.
Mr Agbaje advised media practitioners to be fair to all parties and interest groups in the build-up to the 2023 polls and restated the commission’s commitment to a credible, free and fair election in 2023.
In his critic of the report of the 2015 elections, Professor of Mass Communication, Tony Iredia wondered why opposition parties bear the brunt of accusations bordering on fake news and hate speech.
He advocated for a reduction in the powers of media regulators whilst calling on journalists and media outlets to be more responsible and accountable.
PIAK
