President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerian journalists to find a way to “vigorously” tackle fake news and hate speech.
The president said this while congratulating journalists as they mark the world press freedom day for 2020.
In a statement by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president, Buhari applauded “the good work” the media have done, and are still doing “as the nation confronts the unseen enemy called COVID-19″.
The president appreciated the cooperation of the media and asked that they continue “till we get to safe harbour, when the world and our country are finally free of this greatest health challenge in recent history”.
“We appreciate the cooperation we have enjoyed from the media in tackling the Coronavirus, and look forward to same, post COVID-19, when all hands must be on deck to repair the damages done to our economic and social lives,” Buhari said.
“We cannot overemphasize the role of the media in keeping people informed and educated on the pernicious virus, which has no friend or foe.
“It simply seeks to mow down anyone and everyone in its path, and public awareness is very important, lest we become like sitting ducks. The media are doing this quite effectively.”
Commenting on the year’s theme, ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation’, Buhari said Nigeria has an unhealthy dose of disinformation, fake news, hate news, purveyed by people who use media platforms, particularly the digital variant.
“They don’t mean well for us, and no country can afford to close its eyes to the evil disinformation can cause,” he said.
“In a plural polity like ours, it has the potential to rupture relationships, sow seeds of discord, and set on the path of destabilisation. When fake and hate news are added unabashedly, it can only signpost doom.
“I urge the Press to use the occasion of World Press Freedom Day to see how this can be vigorously tackled.”
The president pledged a recommitment to the ideals of freedom of the press, saying democracy thrives better in an atmosphere of transparency, as opposed to opacity.
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