#EndSARS: Why FG Must Clampdown On Social Media – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says it has become highly imperative for the federal government to regulate social media in order to tackle fake news.

Mohammed said this when he appeared before the House Committee on information, National Ethics and Values to defend the 2021 proposed budget of his ministry.

He was alluding to the EndSARS protest

Mohammed warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the issue of fake news is not urgently addressed.

He said, “The biggest challenge facing Nigeria today is fake news and misinformation. Based on that, we dedicated an entire National Council on Information’s meeting to that issue, after which we launched a national campaign against fake news in July 2018.

“We said, then, that the next war will be fought without a shot being fired, but with the use of fake news. We didn’t stop there. We went on a tour of all media houses to solicit their support in the fight against fake news.”

During the End SARS protest, several people were shot dead at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State.

However, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had confirmed only one death as a result of the shooting.