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Federal Government Has Begun Social Media Sanitisation —- Lai Mohammed

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5 years ago

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The Federal Government has said it had begun the process of sanitizing the social media space to prevent it from setting the nation on fire.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. “As a matter of fact, we have already put in motion the machinery for this.

“We have written letters to the major stakeholders who would nominate representatives and we are going to sit down together to decide on how best to confront this menace,” he said.

Mohammed said the government had the responsibility to keep the country together, adding that social media would not be left alone to destabilise the nation.

The minister said the government welcomed the debate that had followed the decision and announcement to sanitise the social media space and the airwaves.

“We are glad about the criticism because what we set out to achieve is to bring the matter to the front burner of discourse.

“We are not under any illusion that the people will take this hook line and sinker.

“We are, however, glad that there are more people who believe that the social media poses imminent danger to the unity of Nigeria, especially as they have become merchants of fake news and hate speech,” he said.

Mohammed stressed that those who opposed the regulation of the social media had not denied the fact that the platform was being used by purveyors of fake news and hate speech with grave consequences.

“Their concern, largely, which is unfounded, is that it might lead to the stifling of the freedom of press or gaggling the media. However, we want to make it clear that it is not our intention to do this.

“The only people who are afraid of the decision to sanitise the social media and the airwaves are the purveyors of hate speech and fake news.

“It must be put on record that Nigeria is not the only country that is doing something about this. Germany, Egypt, Russia, India and the United Kingdom (UK) are all doing something about regulating the social media platform,” he said.

Mohammed expressed concern that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media professional bodies, which were supposed to support the regulation, were kicking against it.

“This is amusing, because they should be glad as they are the ones we are protecting.

“The honest truth is that the established, well trained professional journalists do not indulge in fake news and hate speech because they have regulatory bodies already.

“The NUJ has a regulatory body and Code of Conduct and they are largely not the one responsible for the dissemination of fake news and hate speech.

“I am, therefore, really surprised that such criticism is coming from them because they are the people we are protecting and they are the ones that will benefit the more from the government action,” he said.

The minister reiterated that no amount of criticism and opposition would stop the regulation of social media and the airwaves.

“We heard all kinds of threat; some even went as far as calling for the removal of the minister.

“Let me assure them that the minister is not perturbed by this and we are focused.

“No amount of intimidation, sponsored articles in any form is going to stop us from regulating social media.

“This is not just a menace to the government; many people have committed suicide because their reputation had been destroyed by the social media,” he said.

Mohammed reiterated that the Federal Government would neither gag the media nor stifle the freedom of speech in regulating social media platforms.

On the regulation of the media space, the minister said he would receive recommendations on the implementation process, in a few days, from the committee he recently inaugurated.

He said the committee had also received a lot of attacks from some critics that the intention was nothing but an attempt to gag the media and stifle free speech.

“Again, our answer to this is simple. Under our watch, hate speech will not become free speech.

“Let me say once again that only those who are purveyors of fake news and hate speech have things to fear from these recommendations,” Mohammed said.

According to the minister, the regulation of social media and the airwaves is in the national interest.

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BIG STORY

Banky W Survives Fourth Surgery, Says “Final Score: Christ 4-0 Cancer Tumors” [VIDEO]

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2 hours ago

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May 23, 2024

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Nigerian popular R ‘n’ B singer, Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has successfully undergone a fourth cancer surgery.

The “Made For You” crooner, In a heartfelt post on his Instagram page on Thursday, expressed gratitude to God for his recovery.

Banky W thanked his wife, family, friends, and pastors for their unwavering support and prayers, as well as his medical team, Dr. Onyewu and Dr. Adenuga, for their expertise and care.

“Sometimes, your faith in God will not prevent the storms from coming… but it will carry you through them. Faith won’t always stop you from hurting, but it will help you heal, and it will help you deal.

“God never said the weapons wouldn’t form, He promised that they wouldn’t prosper. He never said the enemy wouldn’t come… He promised that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God would raise a standard against him.

“Posting this testimony to encourage anyone out there who is going through a challenge. It might seem bigger than you, but greater is He that is in you than anything you will face in this world.

“Grateful for my wife, family, friends, and Pastors for their love, prayers, and support. Thanking God for my health and trusting that this latest victory is final in Jesus’ name.

“Appreciating the gifted hands and minds of my doctors, Dr. Onyewu of the Center for Advanced Specialty Surgery, and Dr. Adenuga of Euracare and the teams that support them.

“We have the victory yet again. Now and forever, in Jesus’ name.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28″

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BIG STORY

Nigerians Blast Sky Sports For Excluding Ademola Lookman In Europa League Graphics

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3 hours ago

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May 23, 2024

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Nigerians have expressed anger and disappointment after a British media outlet, Sky Sports, omitted Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, from a graphic celebrating Atalanta’s Europa League victory.

Lookman made history on Wednesday night by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final.

The omission has sparked outrage, with many calling out Sky News for their oversight.

Lookman’s Atalanta stunned Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, ending the Bundesliga champions’ 51-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

This was also Atalanta’s first-ever UEFA Europa League title and their first major title win since 1963.

Lookman was the star of the night, scoring his third goal of the game in the 75th minute.

Lookman’s first-half brace made him the first African to score two goals in the final of a major European competition before he added a historic third.

Sky Sports posted an image on its X handle on Wednesday evening with the caption “BREAKING: Atalanta have WON the Europa League after beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final in Dublin”. However, the image only included Gianluca Scamacca and Teun Koopmeiners.

The post has been bashed on the internet, especially on X.com, for excluding Lookman, who scored all three goals.

Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim, who tweets as @NseIkpeEtim, said, “This is shocking. Ademola Lookman scores a beautiful hat-trick and you couldn’t bring yourself to use an image of his. Sure you can do better.”

Also, investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, tweeting with the handle @fisayosoyombo, said, “Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman, who scored all three goals that fetched Atlanta the trophy did not make it to your cover photo? All of you @SkyFootball are collectively an unbelievable joke!”

A photojournalist who tweeps with the handle @PoojaMedia, said, “You are reporting the final without the history maker. Reason we’ve to hype our own to heavens but de@d heads will be dragging us. Una see now?”

Another X user, @Xandyy_Jay, said, “The whole world condemns this act. You can do better. Ademola Lookman should be the first person here. Why are you so biased?

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Bill Seeking Return To Old National Anthem Passes Second Reading At Senate

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4 hours ago

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May 23, 2024

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The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for a second reading a bill seeking a return to the old national anthem.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor of the proposed law, Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism.

In his contribution, Chinda, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party noted that the old national anthem was a colonial heritage which should not be considered in a post-independent Nigeria.

His argument was supported by the member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, Mr Ahmad Satomi.

Another Borno lawmaker, Ahmed Jaha, however, supported the bill arguing that the the wordings in the new anthem are verbal expressions that have no substance in the affairs of the Nigerian State.

 

More to come…

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