Minister Urges PR Practitioners, Others To Shun Fake News, Misinformation

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has tasked Public Relations practitioners, the media, citizens, and other stakeholders to shun fake news and misinformation, stating that the growing trend has worsened insecurity in the country.
Mohammed disclosed this at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Annual General Meeting/ Citizens Summit titled “Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security,” held recently in Abuja where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
He explained that fake news and misinformation endanger the peace, security, and development of any nation which Nigeria is now a victim. He thereafter applauded the NIPR for its contributions to the discourse on national unity through various programmes and initiatives and would contribute to working together with the council to grow the public relations industry.
According to him, “In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.
“This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation.
“I want to use this important platform to commend our gallant men and women in uniform and appeal to all our compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping our country safe.
“We must also realise that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline if you see something, say something.
The Minister also said that “Terrorists or bandits are not spirits. They are human beings and they reside in our communities. They must all be exposed and crushed for peace to reign.
“Let me cite some recent instances of fake news and misinformation in this regard. On August 10, the Kaduna state government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid siege on the Kaduna-Zaria road. The widely circulated message even advised travelers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria road.”