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Be wary of fake news as elections draw near— CSMR tasks Nigerians
The Centre for Social Media Research (CSMR) has enjoined Nigerians to be wary of fake news being used to distort political communication as the country heads to the polls on Feb. 25, to elect a new President.
The Centre said this in statement jointly signed by Prof. Tunde Akanni, an Associate Professor of Journalism and pioneer director of the LASU Digital Media Research Centre, (DMRC) and Dr Akin Olaniyan, Executive Director, DMRC, on Tuesday in Lagos.
CSMR is a Lagos-based specialised media concern with flair for digital conduct of Nigerian citizens, organisations and others, on issues of public interest that affect Nigerians, especially nationally and internationally.
Its public interventions are based on skillful researches based on relevant methods deriving from thorough and ethical consideration.
CSMR noted that disinformation and misinformation, popularly referred to as fake news, had distorted political communication in the run-up to the election, as supporters of major candidates in the presidential election compete to outdo themselves.
It said, “Nigerians need to be careful about purported endorsement by paid influencers who take their unsuspecting followers for a ride by publicly canvassing support for candidates, while disguising their actions as borne out of any political ideology or a genuine belief in the Nigerian project.”
According to the centre, they spread fake attributions and endorsements that purport to show prominent Nigerians as supporting and recommending a presidential candidate.
CSMR cited the recent case of Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was forced to come out to deny widely reported claims on social media, that he was backing a presidential candidate.
CSMR said it was worried that rather than social media to be seen as supportive of resource abundance, providing a public sphere connecting Nigerians and enabling rigorous debate of national issues, social media was becoming a communicative space.
“It is severely affecting the quality of information that ought to help Nigerians make informed choices at the polls.
“Social Media are already becoming anti-social here,” it said.
CSMR noted that it feared that if left unchecked, the growing incidence of so-called fake news portends grave dangers to Nigeria’s democratic process because it undermines for political violence that targets perceived opponents.
The Centre frowned at the willingness of politicians and their well-heeled supporters to pay shadowy foreign firms like Cambridge Analytica to attempt to influence elections in Nigeria by targeting its people with well decorated forms of disinformation and misinformation.
“We make bold to enjoin Nigerian authorities to alert Facebook, Google and Twitter to relevant issues based on our experience relating with some of these concerns having taken time to seek the understanding of their operations and their concerns,” the centre added.
This, according to CSMR, is because their business models reward web traffic governed by targeted advertising and algorithms, which often fail to spot and weed out fake news that are produced through fake social media accounts or political bots.
CSMR, therefore, advised Nigerians to be careful about sharing information through their assorted social media accounts especially WhatsApp, on account of its domineering ubiquity, unless they have been able to confirm that it is true.
It added that “when Nigerians are in doubt, they should ask themselves the following questions before sharing:
“Am I sure of the source? Is it the entire truth? Is it relevant?
“Is it necessary? Will it spread fear? Will it incite people to violence? Will it put some groups or sections at risk of attack? What do I gain by sharing or What do I lose by not sharing?”
CSMR enjoined government at all levels to take the need to embark on massive media literacy campaigns as an urgent social project which promises the direly needed cohesion in Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of this year Eid-el-Kabir to demonstrate sacrifice, love and peace.
Abubakar in a statement by his media office on Saturday in Abuja, congratulated fellow Muslim faithful on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.
He said that the celebration of Eid, as stated in the scriptures, was not merely a fanfare but an admonition to the people to have forbearance and show compassion in every situation.
“The message of Eid al-Adha is to remind ourselves about the commandment of God to show love to one another and uphold peaceful interpersonal relationships.
“The essential purpose of that message is that we must put our trust in God almighty at all times.
“Even in the face of current hard times that many Nigerians are passing through, we must never fail to put trust in God and, more importantly, extend compassion and safety to the vulnerable people around us.
“This means that as we go about celebrating today, we must ensure that we extend good tidings of support and charity to one another, especially those in difficulties,”he said.
The former vice president called on governments at all levels to be deliberate in initiating measures that will ease the hardship confronting Nigerians .
“As we know that the essence of the celebration today is about a restoration of God’s mercy, it is thus incumbent on government at all levels to take a cue from the divine instruction,” he said.
He reminded Muslims in Nigeria and across the world to remember their responsibility of being good ambassadors of the religion by living their lives according to the practices and teachings of the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“The festivities that we are undertaking today is borne out of the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim and as also exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“ It is thus our responsibility as Muslims to reflect on their examples in our lives by upholding the threshold of peace at all times, “AbubKar also added.
He wished every Muslim family a happy Eid celebration and prayed for God’s protection and safety for everyone during and after the celebration.
The Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has joined other Muslim faithful to observe the Eid-el Kabir prayer in Maiduguri.
Shettima, who spoke briefly after the prayers, prayed for peace and bumper harvest this cropping season.
“We urge Nigerians to pray for peace and prosperity in the land.
“We have to cultivate peace; there can never be development without peace.
“This is the farming season, we also need to pray for bumper harvest, ” Kashim said.
In his message, the Borno Acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, also prayed for peaceful coexistence and the need to pray for the nation.
“May Allah accept our prayers and that of our people in the Holy land,” he said.
He thanked the people of Borno for their sustained support to the government, and assured them of quality leadership.
Kadafur also thanked the Vice President for coming home to identify with his people in Borno, and wished him a safe trip back to Abuja.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended troops of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and gallantry in confronting the security challenges and threats in the country.
Lagbaja gave the commendation on Sunday in Abuja, in his goodwill message to the troops and their families on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He described the Eid-el-Kabir as a significant festival depicting the important place of sacrifice in humanity and divinity.
The COAS said the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration was also remarkable, as it coincided with the completion of his first year in office as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff.
He expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and the relative peace restored in many troubled parts of the country.
He acknowledged the enormous sacrifice made by the army, both in human and logistics resources, in the ongoing battle against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, secessionist agitations and sundry crimes.
Lagbaja said the troops had displayed unalloyed loyalty, extraordinary courage and faith in the nation, thereby, emerging victorious in the face of grave danger.
He added that many of them currently bore the badge of courage and bravery in the form of battle scars and injuries, while others carried the memories and stories of their sacrifices for the country.
The COAS enjoined all Nigerians to show collective understanding and support for the government’s efforts to implement necessary reforms to restore economic prosperity.
He also urged all personnel and their families to renew their commitment to selflessness and patriotism for the growth and development of the country.
The army chief, however, reaffirmed his dedication to providing visionary and inclusive leadership needed for effective training, robust living standards and operational effectiveness.
He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching support and leadership.
Lagbaja also extended appreciation to the National Assembly, Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, for their strategic guidance.
He lauded Nigerians and the international community for their continuous support and belief in the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the Nigerian Army looks forward to continued collaboration to end security challenges and create an enabling environment for economic prosperity and other democratic dividends.
Eid-el-Adha: Nigeria needs sacrificing citizens to progress – Tinubu
Eid-el-Kabir: Atiku preaches sacrifice, love, peace
