By Samson Ezea
As a graduate of Mass Communication and Journalism practitioner for years now, I am totally baffled, marveled and at a loss on how Nigerians have abused the social media platforms, by using it to spread falsehood and fan the embers of war, discord, disunity and crises. In doing this, they throw caution, ethics, decorum, professionalism and facts into the mud and wind, forgetting the simple guide or rudiment of news gathering and reporting, which is that the authenticity or genuineness of the source or sources of information is of much importance than the information or news itself.
It is for this reason that every news item must not only be attributed to a source or sources as the case may be, but such attribution must be verifiable, factual, and authentic. This was the standard, approved, and acceptable practice globally before the advent of social media platforms. Social media invention is a good technological development, considering its efficiency and reliability in spreading and passing information quickly. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, it has become a platform to spread falsehood, malign characters, and throw tantrums at people and go scot-free.
Today in Nigeria, almost everybody is a journalist, writer, political analyst, and social media influencer. It is now a case of motor mechanics not allowing people to know the difference between them and madmen. Quackery has taken precedence over professionalism and excellence. It seems that what it requires for one to be a journalist, master of all and expert in Nigeria today is to purchase any Chinese android phone, subscribe to any telecom data and then open social media account in the comfort of their home, using their names or pseudo names and then start fabricating falsehood, pouring invectives and vituperations on people without any sanctions.
After all, there is no censor or regulations. In this case, freedom of speech becomes absolute, even when it is known in law and journalism that there is no absolute freedom of speech anywhere, not even in the developed climes, where we copied our media and democratic practices from.
The above narrative points to the falsehood and lies about Enugu State that have been trending on social media platforms recently, which are well-orchestrated social media wiles by hired hirelings to downplay or rubbish the result-yielding efforts of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in repositioning the state for investments, peace, security and economic growth, particularly with the ban of the Monday sit-at-home, closing of ties and cooperating with the federal government and international communities on develop the state as contained in his campaign manifesto, speeches and promises.
Just less than one month in office, there has been a series of sponsored social media attacks embedded in lies against the governor, the people, and the government of Enugu State. First was the fake social media report that the Pinnacle Filling Station at New Heaven, Enugu, was razed down by unknown gunmen in retilialition to Governor Mbah’s ban of sit at home in the state.
All over social media platforms were photoshopped, superimposed, and fake pictures and videos of inferno, which the peddlers claimed was the burnt Pinnacle Filling Station at New Heaven, Enugu. Many swallowed the barefaced lies hook,liner, and sinker and even ignorantly and mischievously helped the fabricators and social media bandits to spread it.
Even when it was immediately established and proven that the filling station was never burnt down, those who purveyed and peddled the initial fake news and videos didn’t deem it fit or wise or to spread the true story about the filling station.
Another case is the recent security breaches along the popular Nike-Ugwuogo-Opi, where some commuters and motorists were disturbed by kidnappers. Kidnapping has been a source of worry on that road to the extent that a Mobile Police barrack was attracted, built, and equipped along the road during the last administration. Apart from the Mobile Police barracks, there are military checkpoints and the presence of other security agents on the road.
These were measures put in place by the government to tackle the menace of kidnapping and other crimes in that axis. It is worrisome that the daredevil and deviant kidnappers returned on the road again even with the presence of armed security personnel.
Taking advantage of the glitches along the road, some social media fake news purveyors peddled a fake video where people with face masks were seen running helter skelter in the bush, which they claimed happened along Nike- Ugwuogo- Opi road. This is despite repeated disclaimers and constant updates of the true situation on the road by the security agents and Enugu State government. Meanwhile, fact check has since revealed that the video in question never happened along Nike-Ugwuogo-Opi road, but it happened in faraway Democratic Republic of Congo, precisely the Eastern part, in 2021. The website that first published the video has since been identified.
According to the latest confirmed news story, victims of kidnapping along the road have been rescued unhurt by the security agents, and normalcy has been restored on the road.
Dissecting how people sit down in the comfort of their homes, fabricate, peddle and share fake news and videos of incidents they never witnessed or know anything about including ones that have to do with security and human lives, makes one wonders whether they are for the victims, security agents and governments or against them.
Sometimes, it appears the purveyors of these fake videos and news in Enugu State are celebratory of the security hiccups, instead of being sobered, sympathetic, and worried about it, whenever it occurs. Also, looking at the crime rate and statistics across the country today, Enugu State under Governor Mbah’s less than one month in office still remains one of the most peaceful and secure states.
That does not mean that Governor Mbah is relenting and relaxing. He is not. He has been working hard on the security architecture of the state for optimal performance, knowing full well that it is the primary responsibility of his government to secure lives and properties in the state.
Fabricators and purveyors of falsehood, fake news, and videos of incidents, especially as it concerns security matters, should know that security plans and strategies are not matters for public discussions or debates. It is a delicate and discreet issue that is handled at the top echelon of government and security agencies.
Instead of manufacturing and purveying fake news to whittle down Mbah’s government and security agents’ concerted efforts, the people of Enugu should collaborate and cooperate with Mbah’s administration and security agents in tackling any crime in the state.
It is common knowledge that perpetrators of these crimes, including kidnapping, have collaborators and accomplices among the locals, indigenes, and residents of the state.
There is no way the perpetrators can operate and go scot-free without internal conspirators, hence the need for the people to be more vigilant and give vital information to government and security agencies, instead of fabricating and sharing fake news and videos.
Well, why on earth or in a saner clime should anybody take these purveyors of fake news, social media liars, their sponsors and antics serious, if not that majority of us including the elite have fallen prey to social media antics and rants because of our gullibility. What has overwhelmed the situation is that there is no ethics, law, or professionalism in news or information gathering and dissemination in Nigeria anymore. Every lie on social media platforms is being swallowed totally these days. This is a very dangerous growing trend that may cause more harm than good, if not properly handled.
With the way some Nigerians have shamelessly and maliciously abused the use of social media platforms which is capable of plunging the country into monumental crisis, I can now see why many Nigerians especially the mischief makers are always against its regulations. I can see the justification behind its ban or restriction in some countries like China, Turkey, North Korea and others that are more developed, civilized and progressive than Nigeria.
Ezea writes from Lagos
