Insecurity: CSO harps on urgent need to tackle fake news

Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) has called on the need for government and critical stakeholders to do everything within the ambit of the law to tackle fake news.

The President of CSGGG, Mr Ogakwu Dominic made the call at a civil society roundtable on fake news in Abuja on Friday.

He said it was time for collaborative effort against fake news in view of its effect on the security of the nation and its tendency to cause disaffection, particularly among ethnic groups in the country.

While emphasising that mainstream media and social media should not be gagged, the president said measures including fact checking of news should be encouraged.

He urged Nigerians to always verify information, particularly on the social media before making conclusions, adding that some unscrupulous elements were taking advantage of the platform to cause disunity and disaffection.

He said, “Citizen journalism is essential.

“We are all on the internet so when you see something that is fake it is your responsibility as a citizen to point such out.

“Fact checking is very important and that is why we are coming up with a forum like this to educate people on the importance of fact checking.”

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Ismail Junaidu said the education sector was critical to moulding character of citizens from the lowest educational level.

He said the tendency to spread fake news or involve in any unruly behaviour capable of threatening the peace of others was borne from upbringing.

“We keep making advocacy but we forget the education sector, particularly pre-primary, primary and secondary levels.

“We forget to sensitise them on honesty and good moral standards and that is where we should start actually.

“It is better to catch them young because prevention is better than cure.

“We should not wait till our children get to tertiary institutions before we begin to tell them about good behaviour.

“That is why as a council, we made civic education compulsory,” he said.

The President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Solomon Adodo, decried the damage fake news had caused.

He called on Nigerian youths to avoid fake news and anything that would bring about chaos.

He said, “I call on all Nigerian youths to say no fake news, say no to violence and say no to any behaviour capable of causing disaffection.”

Keynote addresses at the event centred on accountability in citizen journalism to ensure good governance.

They also highlighted the need for community based approach to handling fake news as well as sanitising the media space.

High point of the event was the launch of CSO NewsWatch Magazine and award presentation.

Some of the awardees were NERDC, Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), National Pension Commission(PENCOM), Rural Electrification Agency among others.