There has been a lot of debate about the dangers of fake news and the importance to stop it spread but no matter how often this debates comes up, the dangers can never be over emphasized. From Africa to Asia to the Americas or the Arab world, fake new spread continue to be a threat to peace and stability. Using Nigeria as a case study, fake news has in one way or another led to deaths of innocent people, destruction of properties and unrest in communities. About 4years ago in north central state of Kaduna state, there was a fake new making it round the state that some disgruntled Muslim youths were killing Christians in predominantly Muslim part of the state... Of course 2 hours later there was a so called reprisal attack by Christian youths on Muslims in predominantly Christian side of the state. This led to the state government imposing a curfew to try and contain any further violence in the nation.
What is most shameful and pathetic is when popular news outlets or online media engage in such fake news without proper verifications or investigation... It may be about who reports the news first to this media houses but for other victims, it means either losing their lives, that of a family member or destruction of properties. Fake news no doubt is a great danger that needs to be stopped and accomplice sanctioned for aiding it's spread.
Most recently is the Biafran issues rocking Nigeria, and once again fake news have been implored for propaganda purposes. There are many fake news spreading around the Internet with claims that the president have ordered a military crackdown and cleansing of the ethnic igbo's because the military is from the north.. Such fake new risk causing chaos and hate in the nation.
In reality, The whole shout and talk of over militarization of the South East because of those agitating succession is nothing but a hoax disguise to further cause discontent and anger among the populace. But writers like I continue to campaign and educate citizens to strive in other not to fall into the hands of the mischief makers least we end up with the words: 'had I know' being the last thing we would say.
Peace lovers must desist from inflammatory statements capable of causing unrest or sharing of news without proper verification least they unintentionally aid the spread of fake new... free speech does not in any way mean freedom to be mischievous or cause chaos as many continue to claim censoring of fake news may harm free speech. The time is ticking and nations must come together to find ways to stop spread of fake news and avoid further unrest or hate that may arise due to fake news spread.
Written by Eedris Ngene
Most recently is the Biafran issues rocking Nigeria, and once again fake news have been implored for propaganda purposes. There are many fake news spreading around the Internet with claims that the president have ordered a military crackdown and cleansing of the ethnic igbo's because the military is from the north.. Such fake new risk causing chaos and hate in the nation.
In reality, The whole shout and talk of over militarization of the South East because of those agitating succession is nothing but a hoax disguise to further cause discontent and anger among the populace. But writers like I continue to campaign and educate citizens to strive in other not to fall into the hands of the mischief makers least we end up with the words: 'had I know' being the last thing we would say.
Peace lovers must desist from inflammatory statements capable of causing unrest or sharing of news without proper verification least they unintentionally aid the spread of fake new... free speech does not in any way mean freedom to be mischievous or cause chaos as many continue to claim censoring of fake news may harm free speech. The time is ticking and nations must come together to find ways to stop spread of fake news and avoid further unrest or hate that may arise due to fake news spread.
Written by Eedris Ngene
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