Infodemic; Big Problem to Nigeria Society

Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin

        Social media has fostered the spread of pseudo information

(infodemics) around the globe to be specific Nigeria . On this am

referring back to to false audio message that went viral on social media

message indicating that President Muhammadu Buhari and Late Former

Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were secretly flown out of the

country for treatment.

Later , different national newspaper in the country like Business Day

Newspaper reported on their publication on 26 th March ,2020 “Buhari

not flown abroad-presidency…”.

The Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity Mr.Femi

Adesina debunked the news via his twitter handle @femAdesina.

This is not the first time people engage into dissemination of pseudo

information on social media especially via whatsapp. Some times some

one might have correct information at hand but when he/she settles in

saloons (beer parlour), beauty salons, market places etc discussing with

friends the story might be diluted or over exaggerated and that is how

pseudo information/stories will be passed to another friend via social

media and it keep spreading.

            Several times the government has warned about dangers of such act.

On 3 rd of April 2020, The Guardian Newspaper reported the caution by

The Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on the

spread of fake news and misinformation. Stating that “in spite of repeated

caution by government , is distracting the fight against Corona-virus”.

The social media if used appropriately is expected to serve as the voice of

the mass(public) ,but today is used by individuals that fabricate or twist

stories to gain audience ,popularity and achieve their selfish interest.

Currently on facebook Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB has been fueling

the rumors that MC Tagwaye a Nigerian comedian who is known for

mimicking President Muhammadu Buhari is the one paid to present the

presidential speech during this pandemic, he is claiming that the president

is dead. All this information and claims have no strong back up, and was

not reported by any recognized Media. So is not credible but FAKE.

However, social media falsehood has caused lot of damages to society

( Nigeria) and still creating more if not dealt with. During this pandemic

the federal and state governments ordered the lockdown of schools,

business centers, placed ban on social/religious gatherings. Later the

lockdown was eased on businesses that render essential services so

people can buy food to survive. On whatsapp fake press release they

claimed it is from ministry of education circulated, stating that schools

will be reopened on June 8.

The ministry of education debunked the news. According to BBC Pidgin

on 25 th May 2020, they stated that ‘the ministry of of education said they

have not fixed any date for school reopening, that the public should

neglect all rumors on the social media‘.

Social media falsehood can lead or cause damages like;

•  Creating conflict /differences between religions.
•  it can mar or tarnish the image of people, institutions, government etc.
• It mislead or misinform the public.
• Affect people psychologically
•  Create ethnic crisis and ranting on social media and physically. Etc

However, it might be difficult to identify fake news from real ones

due to sometimes fake news contain real/correct information to make it

look real for people to believe. Here are some tips I have to give to

individuals to identify fake news from real ones.

• Do not be fast to share information you get on social media.
• Check the creator or origin of the news. If you can not trace it forget sharing it.
• Check well on known authentic sites/ media channels to know if they reported on the story, if they didn’t I don’t advise you to share .
• When reading look out for facts that makes the story credible enough.

                    On 5th November 2019,Nigeria Senate proposed Anti-media bill. It

was meant to allow the government to shutdown the internet whenever

they sees fit. But to me that is not the best solution because the freedom

of the press and freedom of speech of citizens have been restricted/

tempered with, in a democratic system of government. I believe the best

thing to do is for individuals to avoid sharing of fake news. They should

take responsibility, anyone caught fabricating stories/misinforming the

public and those helping in the spread of pseudo information should face

the law. They should be sued for slander or libel as the case may be.

Am calling on the government to take this serious by ensuring that any

websites, social media pages or accounts that engage into this act , the

owner of the medium should be arrested and interrogated (questioned)

before charging to court to face punishment. To the general public this

should serve as a warning to perpetrators of such act to avoid spreading

falsehood on social media even via any means. Apart from the

punishment attached, lets consider the problem it might cause to the

society and flee from such act .

“To the general public this should serve as a warning to perpetrators of such act

to avoid spreading falsehood on social media even via any means. Apart from the

punishment attached, lets consider the problem it might cause to the society and flee

from such act”.