The Federal Government has commended the owners of Meta Platform, which include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp for their commitment to checking the spread of fake news and disinformation ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 elections
Speaking at the 12th edition of the ministerial scorecard presentation of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration (2015-2023), on Wednesday in Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, insisted that increasing resort to fake news and disinformation by some political actors and a section of the media constitutes a present danger to the success of the election.
The 12th edition had the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana, and state counterpart, Sharon Ikeazor present the achievements of the current administration in the Niger Delta to Nigerians.
The minister who said the owners of Meta had outlined concrete actions to check the spread of fake news during the 2023 poll, urged other social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok to emulate Meta.
Mohammed said: “During one of our sessions here, I spoke about the danger posed by fake news and disinformation to the 2023 elections.
“In this regard, I want to acknowledge the announcement by Meta, the owners of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp that it will take clearly outlined steps to protect the integrity of the forthcoming elections. Specifically, meta detail the actions it plans to take to combat disinformation or to make political advertising more transparent.
“The company committed to these actions before, during and after the elections. This is commendable and it is in line with what we have always said, that the platform owners have a big role to play in checking the spread of fake news, disinformation and hate speech via the platforms Meta has demonstrated a great sense of responsibility and I hope the company will live up to its promise.
We also urge other platform owners like owners of YouTube, and others, owners of Tik Tok, Twitter and telegram group incorporated, owners of telegram messenger to emulate Meta by taking positive steps to check the spread of fake news, disinformation and hate speech via their platform during, and after the 2023 elections.
