Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity, Garba
Shehu, Sunday in Abuja warned that leaving the social media to operate
without regulation could result in more lawlessness, violence and
deaths, explaining that the Federal Government is not against free
speech.
The Presidential aide, who spoke at the Kawararafa Media Award, said the
emerging modern media platform had played a strong role in promoting
information sharing, strengthening democracy, and building networks of
relationships, but without supervision or control, the nation risks more
havoc.
Shehu was chairman of the award ceremony organized by Kwararafa
Reporters, a news magazine.
“For instance, the entire Kasuwan Magani saga that resulted in the death
of more than 50 people was because someone posted misleading information
on WhatsApp that went viral.
“All countries in the world are trying to make laws to check the
excesses. Many countries are trying to control the situation. The
Europeans have placed a new law that holds the companies responsible.
“In United Kingdom, the parliament has received a report on social
media. There is a youth addiction to it, just like cigarettes. Without
any form of control, it has done harm to women, ethnic minorities,
individuals, institutions and countries,” he said.
Shehu said the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had
consistently called for a meeting of stakeholders to agree on modalities
for regulating the social media, but was rebuffed.
“The federal government is saying that stakeholders should come
together and agree on regulation. We know that no matter how bad the
situation it favours someone.
“Some have argued that our constitution already has laws in libel, but
the laws of the ’60s never anticipated social media.
“No government has the right to muzzle freedom of speech. We don’t
support the taking of lives as punishment. People insult others and
share false information on social media. I hope that hate speech will be
tackled so that Nigeria will be a sane place to live in,” he added.
The Senior Special Assistant noted that in every part of the world
journalists go through some form of training, accreditation and
licensing before plying their trade, like doctors, but “with a phone, a
tablet or laptop anyone can reach millions, sometimes for good and other
times with ulterior motives.”
Shehu said hate speech preceded the social media, but it was traceable
through the media platform and controlled, explaining that the social
media, while emerging, portends a great force, and needs to be regulated
for safety and peaceful co-existence.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kwararafa Reporters, Emmanuel Bello, said
the publication was non-political, and it rewards politicians, public
servants, business executives and individuals with distinguished record
of service to the nation.
The Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina
and Shehu were honoured with “Media Excellence of the Year”.