The Federal Government says it has no intention of shutting down social media.


It said its plan is to regulate social media to be responsible and refrain from being purveyor of fake news and hate speech.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the clarification on Saturday in Lagos when he inspected the headquarters of The Nation newspaper and TV Continental (TVC) that were attacked during the #EndSARS protest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister was accompanied on the inspection by heads of parastatal agencies in his ministry.


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Speaking at the premises of The Nation, the minister said the Muhammadu Buhari administration has high regards for freedom of the press.

He said his recent call for the regulation of the excesses of the social media should not be misconstrued for a total ban.

“We did not at any time say that we will shut down the social media


“Social media has come to stay and it will be an antithesis to democracy to shut it down because it is the fastest way of disseminating information.

“However, we must regulate social media in a manner that it does not become a purveyor of fake news and hate speech.

‘We will not fold our arms to allow purveyors of fake news and hate speech to use the social media to destabilise the country,” he said.


He said some of the owners of social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, were making attempts to regulate their use because of the danger of fake news.

The minister said that government foresaw the danger of fake news and hate speech as far back as 2017.

“We saw as far back as 2017 that the next epidemic that will hit Nigeria and the entire world is fake news and misinformation.


“Based on that, we dedicated an entire National Council on Information meeting in Jos to the issue.

“After this, we launched a national campaign on fake news on July 11, 2018, where we stressed that the next war will be fought without a shot being fired but with the use fake news.

“We did not stop there. We went on a tour of all media houses seeking their support against fake news,” he said.


On the negative effects of fake news, the minister said the farmers-herdsmen clashes of 2017 was largely fuelled by fake videos and pictures that were circulated on social media platforms.

The minister recalled also that in 2017, a popular entertainer raised the false alarm that five students of the College of Education in Gidan Waya in Kaduna State were murdered by herdsmen.

He said there was almost reprisal attack before it was discovered that this was fake news.


NAN also recalls that the minister on Oct. 8 had solicited the support of the National Assembly in formulating a national policy on use of social media to control fake news and misinformation.

While defending the 2021 budget proposal of the Information sector of his ministry, the minister had said fake news and misinformation are serious and major challenges confronting the nation.

He added that the social media is the platform of choice for those who propagate fake news, adding that there is an urgent need for a national policy to curb excesses and misuse.

[NAN]


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/why-fg-needs-to-regulate-social-media-%e2%80%95-lai-mohammed/amp/

How will FG regulate social media?

Its totally impossible.

Shit brains.

Do you know how many media app exist in the world.

Even the Chinese govt cant succeed at that,they best tey did was to block some foreign sites,yet e still dey happen.

Govt should focus on doing what will prevent all these fake news by building a country built on fairness,justice and equality.

Mr.Shit brain loves to talk shit.

Later this old man sef go claim say him be graduate,yet he reasons like an alpha illiterate.

China,Singapore, Germany and Australia regulates social media to fight fake news and hate speech. Nothing wrong if Nigeria does same.

Is there any other thing this man does other than to conspire on how to regulate the social media in Nigeria?

ivolt:
China,Singapore, Germany and Australia regulates social media to fight fake news and hate speech. Nothing wrong if Nigeria does same.

Since we want to be coping we might as well make sure we put looters to death I mean what could go wrong!! If politicians kill our economy, buy foreign products, take bribe and cut backs death sentence what about that?

ivolt:
China, Singapore, Germany and Australia regulates social media to fight fake news and hate speech. Nothing wrong if Nigeria does same.

China, Singapore, Germany and Australia also ensure the safety and prosperity of their people b y fighting for their economic growth. Nothing wrong if Nigeria Does Same.

slimfit1:


Since we want to be coping we might as well make sure we put looters to death I mean what could go wrong!! If politicians kill our economy, buy foreign products, take bribe and cut backs death sentence what about that?

We are not copying. All of those countries have different regulatory methods. Do you think we should free all prisoners since we are not putting looters to death?

Good news

People should be responsible for their tweets and post

ivolt:
China,Singapore, Germany and Australia regulates social media to fight fake news and hate speech. Nothing wrong if Nigeria does same.

Evidence of Germany and Australia regulating social media or did you pull that one off your arsehole?

I feel most monikers in nairaland are being paid to spread hate and fake news just to ensure the government regulate the social media. At times I wonder if those who are chief tribalist here are really proud of themselves as agent of hate and propaganda?

austinvsb:


Evidence of Germany and Australia regulating social media or did you pull that one off your arsehole?

I am not responsible for your education.

ivolt:

I am not responsible for your education.

What you are responsible for is evidence for your assertions. I can't seem to find any

ivolt:

We are not copying. All of those countries have different regulatory methods. Do you think we should free all prisoners since we are not putting looters to death?

Yes

They succeeded in granting BH terrorists amnesty despite opposition.What next is other obnoxious RUGA, Water resources & hate speech.

:We are not copying. All of those countries have different regulatory methods. Do you think we should free all prisoners since we are not putting looters to death?Yes

So that we will not hear about things like this https://twitter.com/RealOgemdi/status/1322434204270034944?s=20

Lie Mohammed himself need to be regulate , he spread more lies and fake news than social media !

Marine54:
Lie Mohammed himself need to be regulate , he spread more lies and fake news than social media !

Una talk well, gofament of lie lie

Confused old man

I know only a fulani/hausa man would be this stupid, incompetent old pig