The world has become a global village where different people from different locations get connected to each other within seconds. The social media has taken over everywhere as millions of people make use of it every day. However, as the social media is of benefit to the public, it is also used by some people for their personal and selfish interests. The power and the influence of social media has made the platform a tool where rumours are spread like wildfire with false news posted in huge numbers.
Professor Wole Soyinka, Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, at the unveiling of an art gallery in Badagry warned Nigerians not to believe everything they read on the social media and sometimes even in conventional media.
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He further advised that whatever is read on the social media should be taken lightly and should be decided whether it makes sense, because the person who posted it might have private agenda.
Social media platforms have been abused for several selfish reasons. It provides the public with anonymity. As a result, some unscrupulous elements with evil intentions use the social media to create fake news and distribute. Such news has created public chaos, religious clashes, political tension as well as economic threats in our country.
To this end, it can be deduced that fake news is a threat to Nigeria’s growing democracy, not just as a country with high population but as a country with huge diversity and difference.
Therefore, social media platforms should be used positively to disseminate credible news and ideas, not false and misleading news as we have today.
Nigerians should also cultivate the habit of analysing issues before posting them online to avoid misunderstanding among people.
The social media should be used to enlighten people, not mislead them. It should be used positively to promote our values, culture and disseminate vital information people will make use of.
Defamatory statements and invasion of privacy should also be avoided to make social media platforms a tool for enlightenment and unity, not otherwise.
Olamide Akinde
Akungba Akoko
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