Govt Agencies, CSOs Move To Tackle Spread Of Fake News

Government agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have formed a committee to address the spread of fake news in the country.

This was the outcome of the 2nd National Roundtable on Fake News and Blackmail of Government and Non-Governmental Officials, held yesterday in Abuja.

The unified effort is to address the escalating menace of fake news and blackmail.

Chairman of Conference of Civil Societies and Coordinator of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO), Mr. Adams Otakwu, in his opening address, highlighted the critical need for immediate action to address the fake news scourge

The event, chaired by representative of secretary to the government of the federation, and featuring a keynote address by a representative of the National Security Adviser, led to the creation of the National Fake Tracker, a tool, which underscored the necessity of a coordinated response to tackle misinformation and blackmail.

Otakwu said the resurgence of fake news and blackmail by individuals and groups posing as civil society organisations continues to threaten national security.

“These entities disseminate false accusations and malicious petitions, often extorting bribes, contracts, or appointments in exchange for silence,” he said.

Otakwu condemned these unethical practices, highlighting their detrimental impact on the nation’s stability.

The roundtable saw active participation from high-ranking representatives of various government agencies, including the Ministry of Police Affairs, the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), and the armed forces.

Participants unanimously condemned the proliferation of fake news and blackmail, pledging to collaborate through a ‘Whole of Society’ approach to address these threats effectively.

Professor Godswill Nnaji, presented a paper on international laws against fake news and blackmail, citing successful implementations in Germany, Singapore, and France.

He emphasized the importance of stringent legislation and public education campaigns in Nigeria to combat misinformation and raise awareness about its dangers.

Nnaji’s presentation highlighted the critical impact of these activities on public trust and national security.

A significant outcome of the roundtable was the formation of a committee to map and monitor civil society organizations nationwide.

This initiative aims to identify fake CSOs involved in blackmail and ensure accountability.

The committee, comprising the Conference of Civil Societies, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the National Population Commission.

They will collaborate with government agencies to address the spread of fake news.

Otakwu, however, called on all Nigerians to reject fake news and blackmail, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s integrity and prosperity, urging citizens to reaffirm their faith in the nation for the overall interest of national security and development.

The event was attended by 51 Civil Societies (CSOs) and representatives of the: Minister of State for Police Affairs, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CG-NIS), Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), and the Clerk of the Senate Committee on ICT/Cyber Security.