Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, has blamed most of the country’s challenges on fake news peddled by social media.
“Social media is today, partly responsible for what is going on in our country by trying to promote things that are not true and creating division based on religion and ethnicity among others things,” said Mr Ribadu at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Ribadu called the conference to debunk reports on social media that he accused some top government functionaries of sponsoring banditry in the country. He called on the government and social media companies to device means of blocking spread of fake news.
“They are not being fair to us, and I think the government has a duty and a responsibility to take action, nobody else can do it. Social media companies also have a role to play, I don’t see any reason why Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will allow such a damaging statement to go out against somebody without stopping it.
Pushing further, Mr Ribadu asserted that fake news on social media portend great d*nger to the survival of any country. He said though he was a strong believer in freedom of expression, such freedom should not be granted “If it is going to cause h*rm to others.”
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