The Federal Government has raised concerns over the increasing misuse of social media and other digital platforms to spread hate speech and fake news, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to national unity and security.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the warning on Thursday in Umuahia, Abia State, while speaking at the maiden South-East Regional Security Summit organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence.
Idris cautioned journalists and media organisations against amplifying negative developments at the expense of positive stories, urging them to embrace responsible journalism that promotes peace, national cohesion and development.
He described hate speech and fake news as “pillars of division” capable of undermining the country’s peace and stability if left unchecked.
According to the minister, Nigerians must deliberately reject divisive narratives and instead promote messages that strengthen national unity and peaceful coexistence.
“We must all take responsibility for the information we consume and disseminate. Hate speech and fake news have the potential to fuel tension, sow discord and threaten our collective existence as a nation”, he said.
Idris stressed that while the media has a constitutional responsibility to hold government accountable, it should equally avoid giving undue prominence to stories capable of inflaming tensions or creating unnecessary panic.
He urged media practitioners to highlight the nation’s achievements alongside reporting its challenges, noting that balanced reportage would help build public confidence and foster national development.
The minister further reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restoring lasting peace across the South-East, saying that the Federal Government remains determined to secure every community in the region.
He called on the South-East states to leverage the regional security summit to forge a united strategy against insecurity in partnership with the Federal Government and relevant security agencies.
Also speaking, the Senate president, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said insecurity must not be allowed to undermine the South-East’s economic potential and investment opportunities.
Akpabio represented by the Senator representing Katsina Central Senatorial District, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, stressed the need for the adoption of modern security technologies and stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities to effectively combat criminality across the country.
He noted that sustainable peace and security remain essential to attracting investment, stimulating economic growth and unlocking the region’s vast development potential.
The event featured which a presentation of the security state of the South East by the National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major General Hilary Maduokwu, was attended by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Governors of the South East region, members of the national state Assemblies, Security officials and dignitaries across the country.
