Unregulated Use Of Social Media Worries FG – Lai Mohammed

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BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Government has decried the unregulated use of social media and other digital platforms worldwide as an ugly phenomenon that exposes large unsuspecting audiences to extremist propaganda and hate speeches.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who voiced the government’s concerns, said the development has put vulnerable individuals using the platform innocently at greater risk of being exposed to harmful content, especially fake news.

Speaking at the welcome session of the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Alhaji Mohammed noted the need for individuals to be adequately equipped with enough knowledge to manage the information at their disposal.

According to him; “The theme of this year’s Global MIL Week; ‘Nurturing Trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative’ is not only apt but also timely as our world and its leaders contend with the challenge of identifying what is true and what is false, in view of the use of media and information.

“As I ponder on the state of our world and the enormous challenge it faces, especially with the unregulated use of social media and other digital platforms, I see the urgent need for every person to be equipped with the ability to critically evaluate and wisely use the information at their disposal.”

However, the Minister said; “I am optimistic that, starting from the parallel sessions which commence immediately to the last plenary session on Friday morning, contributions and questions will all be geared towards finding the linkages to building trust among our societies and individuals through the use of media and information literacy.

“As I urge you all to give this your best attention, knowing that the world awaits the outcome of this global MIL week, I warmly welcome you, once again, to Nigeria. I encourage you all to discover Abuja and enjoy your stay”.

The 2022 UNESCO global and mass literacy week is currently taking in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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