Use Social Media Responsibly Against Terrorism – Shehu

The director, International Institute of Journalism, Dr Emman Shehu, has called for responsible use of social media to counter extremism in the country.

Speaking at National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Abuja during a meeting with media practitioners and social influencers, Shehu said in a paper, “As extremist ideologies and harmful narratives proliferate across various online platforms, it has become increasingly crucial for governments, civil society organizations, and community leaders to leverage these same platforms strategically to counter such threats”.

The paper x-rayed key public information dissemination platforms and discussed effective strategies for their use in countering extremist ideologies and narratives.

Dr. Shehu said social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube had emerged as powerful tools for information sharing and social mobilisation.

He noted that extremist groups had adapted social media platforms to spread their messages, recruit new members, and coordinate activities.

He added that these platforms can also be leveraged to counter such narratives through targeted campaigns, fact-checking initiatives, and the amplification of credible voices.