Centre Tasks National Assembly On Law To Criminalise Misinformation

A faith-based group, Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria, has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to enact a legislation that criminalises the deliberate production and circulation of unverified or fabricated materials used to lobby foreign governments against the country.

It argued that the growing pattern of citizens weaponising misinformation to malign their own nation before foreign actors had become a grave national security concern, inflicting immeasurable reputational, diplomatic, economic and social damage on Nigeria and Nigerians.

MPAC’s executive chairman, Disu Kamor said on Saturday that in recent years, various individuals and groups driven by sectarian, political or separatist agendas have routinely exported disinformation to foreign governments and international institutions.

According to him, their activities have fed false narratives about Nigeria, undermined national cohesion and misled global opinion.