In an effort to tackle hate speech and fake news on the Social Media, the Niger State Governor, Sani Bello has charged all social media influencers on the need to promote peaceful coexistence among diverse groups and citizens in the state.
The governor made the charge through his Senior Special Assistant on New and Digital Media, Yusuf Muawiyyah, when he hosted members of the state’s Social Media Group to an interactive engagement in his office in Minna.
The Social Media Aide said as Nigeria enters electioneering period, the traditional Media and online bloggers must observe ethical standards in promoting democratic ethos and better understanding among the citizens in the country.
Mr Muawiyyah said: “As we are approaching the electioneering period, the editors of the traditional media and social media influencers must do everything professionally possible to promote democracy and free speech not only in Niger state but in the country.
“We should guard against inciting contents, and provocative statements capable of creating conflicts among our people.
“We must learn to express our grievances and criticisms responsibly without resorting to gutter or vulgar language.”
“As you all know, hate speech refers to speech acts that insult people for their religion or their ethnic or linguistic affiliation.
“It is about expressing contempt against people because of their place of origin or gender or alternatively, desecrating their symbols of cultural or religious practices.
“We should therefore discourage the spreading of falsehood and rumour that demeans, demonizes, maligns or otherwise ostracizes other people based on their origins and belief,” Mr Muawiyya noted.
Earlier in his remarks, Yahya Yakubu who spoke on behalf of the Group, said their members would ensure that they adhere to the professional ethics of journalism in their social media engagements.
Mr Yakubu said: “As a group of social media advocates, we have revolved some strategies to encourage best practices.
“We also have sanctions for erring members in our effort to ensure adequate and truthful information in our engagement with the public.
He therefore called on the state government to invest in digital media as it is an area that needs serious attention in mobilising the citizens towards great causes.
