He argued that social media or digital media are the worst culprits in the spread of fake news, especially those that promote ethnic and religious hatred and libel, adding that their operators thrive in indulging in such professional misconducts which also constitute threat to national security
By Bonny Obeta
365Daily – A former Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has emphasised the need for the government to provide an effective regulatory framework for social media operations in the country.
Ogene, who is the Publisher of an online newspaper, 356Daily and the House of Representatives candidate of Labour Party (LP) for Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, said this while delivering a lecture at the 2022 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, with the theme “Traditional Media
and the Threat of Social Media: Implications on National Development.”
The former Deputy Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the House of Representatives underscored the role of social media as the fastest platform for information generation and disemination when compared with its traditional media counterpart.
He noted that in view of the large audience that social media, including Facebook, blogs, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc, commands among the populace, the impact of national development is critical and requires necessary and effective frame-work to ensure that its news contents are facts-based and not a danger to national cohesion.
Although he held the view that social media actually held no threat to the continued existence of the traditional media which includes the prints such as newspapers, magazines, journals and periodicals on one hand, and, electronics which includes radio and television on the other hand, Ogene however, emphasised that social media circulates news faster and commands more overwhelming readership or followership than the traditional media.
He particularly argued that social media or digital media are the worst culprits in the spread of fake news, especially those that promote ethnic and religious hatred and libel, adding that their operators thrive in indulging in such professional misconducts which also constitute threat to national security, peace and development because there are no effective legal framework that would compel them to prove the contents of the reports or face the wrath of the law.
Ogene said: “Humanity has ever since experienced exponential growth in both science and information technology over the last 50 years.
“Fifty years ago, it would be hard to think of holding a piece of contraption that can take
pictures, make videos, scan, send messages, monitor the messages and store data that runs into millions of words when converted into word documents.
“For instance, in the 1960s communication was more or less restricted to in-person meetings. If for any reason a meeting could not be held, it had to be rescheduled or communication done through letters and
telegrams.
“The process was cumbersome. To even make use of a telephone, one had to travel long kilometres and needed the help of a telephone operator. The 1990s were indeed the manifestation of the 21st century
technological breakthroughs. Mobile phones came on board. People did not need to travel miles and miles to queue at phone booths to make a call or wait for a telephone operator to be able to use a phone.
“With the coming of smartphones, one can effectively communicate outside one‟s office”.
Discussants of the lecture include the Head of the Mass Communications Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam, Prof. Angela Nwamuo and the Managing Director, CEO, Anambra State Broadcasting Service, ABS, Awka, Chief Chido Obidiegwu.
They argued that though social media are faster in information dissemination, and, as well commands larger readership, the news contents are largely fake and the reporters unprofessional.
In addition, they said the lack of authenticity of the news contents of most social media platforms do not constitute a threat to the continued existence of the traditional media whose news are largely reliable and reporters trained media professionals.
Chairman of the event and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra Central Senatorial district, Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, charged media practitioners to brace up to the challenges of ensuring that quality people who are passionate about uplifting the welfare of the people of this country and developing the country are elected in the coming 2023 general election.
He charged journalists to not only checkmate the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but to ensure that it conducts free, fair and credible polls.
Okelekwe also urged them to mobilise and educate the electorate on the need to cast their votes only for quality candidates and to reject selling their votes.
In his remarks, the Chairman of NUJ in Anambra State, Dr. Emeka Odogwu, explained that the press week was held for media practitioners in the state to take stock of their activities and brainstorm on ways to contribute towards the development of the state, nation and humanity at large.