Fake News: Dilemma To Societal Peace Building – Group
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), on the aegis of “Generation For Peace”, has identified fake and inciting news as a major societal dilemma in building peace and coexistence in the country.
The NGO specifically noted that a state like Kaduna has among other things, history of religious and ethnic conflicts, stressing that in spite of the efforts of the mass media in mobilizing, informing, educating and enlightening the people towards ensuring harmonious relationship, the social media is not helping matters.
Spokesman of the “Generation For Peace,” Mr. Obafunso Rahmon Agboola said the organisation has implemented programmes in and around Kaduna state by working with children, youth, adults and women.
He also said that over the years, three programmes have created impact in the communities through innovative and carefully designed programmes in sport empowerment, dialogue arts and advocacy by creating safe platforms for interactions and engagements between people from diverse ethnic and religious groups who have been experiencing conflict.
According to him; “It is our utmost hope that at the end of this engagement, together, we will be able to identify the causes of fake news, how to curb dissemination of fake news and strategic action steps to take in addressing the spread of fake news.”
The NGO said with the support of the United States, Abuja have intensified efforts to bring social inclusion, understanding and tolerance to communities experiencing conflict among the diverse ethnic groups and two major religions namely; Christianity and Islam with the aim of helping transform conflicts and build sustainable peace for future generations.
The one day programme on peace building according to a participant, came at the right time in view of the present challenges the state is going through in some parts of the state as a result of incessant killings that has affected a united state like Kaduna.
Agboola further said; “We need to understand the effect the crisis is doing to us a people and it is better for us a people irrespective of any difference to unite ourselves for a focused and purposeful Kaduna state that will forge ahead in carrying everyone along in all spheres of life.”
