The chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, Mr Sam Omatseye on Thursday called for the prosecution of fake news peddlers in the country.
According to Omatseye, social media should be regulated, adding that the government must ensure that the existing laws work.
Omatseye stated this while speaking as the guest lecturer at the Trinity University, Yaba Lagos public lecture on the topic, “Information In An Age Of Blog.”
Omatseye, who was also honoured by the university in recognition of his immense contribution to the journalism profession both in Nigeria and outside the country, said there are a lot of fake news going on in the country especially during elections adding that prosecution of fake news peddlers will be one of the greatest means of addressing the scourge.
“There is a lot of fake news going on especially during the election. The government has always been dismissing it. The government should not just dismiss fake news, but the government should ensure that people that peddle fake news are taken to court,” Omatseye said.
“That’s why I supported Fasola for going to court because someone said he wrote a court judgement,” Omatseye said, adding that it is not the number of laws that matters but that the effectiveness of the law will serve as a deterrent to others.
“Some countries run only one law. The more laws you give to a society, the more you take their freedom.
It’s not the law but it should be an issue of morality. Our constitution is good, but we have to condition ourselves first. It’s good to have laws, but if it is by laws you think you can guide a society, you are making a mistake,” Omatseye said.
Omatseye, who said the story of the university reflects the story of resilience, starting from primary, secondary schools to a university, added that one can get back money, certificates, wife, loved ones but that one can’t get back time.
“What we have today, couldn’t have been imagined in the 60s or 70s. We are now living in a global village,” Omatseye said, adding that technology makes humans spirits who can be in Ogbomosho and in the next few minutes they are in the United states.
Omatseye, who said some of them are still surprised how they survived without coloured television, internet, email, and social media, said as journalists in the stunt age, they traveled to meet people for interviews only to find out the same people had traveled.
“Now, you just need to make a phone call or a text message,” he said.
“New technology has invented a new virus called populism. People are now becoming celebrities by accident through the use of social media. We’ve entered a disruptive era.
“People who publish outright lies should be prosecuted,” Omatseye said, adding that technology is the way forward and that laws must be respected.
“We can’t predict the future just as we can’t predict technology. The media is the new reality. Technology is the way forward but laws must be respected,” Omatseye added.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the governing council of Trinity University, Engr Bayo Kolade, said the days of information technology call for strategic thinking since social media and AI changed the way and manner information is consumed. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Clement Olusegun Kolawole, said they foster transformative education in addressing global challenges.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Dr Kayode Omiyale, said they will continue to support the university.
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