The recent call by the Northern Governors Forum for the full censorship of social media has been described as a misplacement of priority.
A lecturer of political science at the Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies, Dr. Kabiru Sufi Sa’id made the remark on Wednesday while reacting to the forum’s call.
The 19 northern state governors after a meeting in Kaduna on Monday following the recent happenings in the country, advocated for a major control mechanism and censorship of the social media in the country.
According to the don, there are more pressing issues like poverty and insecurity bedeviling the region that the forum should have given priority.
He opined that fake news is a problem and may be used by vested interests as a vehicle to create disunity among the citizenry.
“Well the attention given to it by the forum came as a surprise if not a rude shock. This is because there are more disturbing and pressing issues bedeviling the region, poverty and insecurity for example. So I think the forum has not properly arranged its priorities.”
Sufi argued that fake news should not be seen as a one-way traffic, as there are instances where there is disinformation from even official quarters.
He added: “I think there are traditional gatekeepers in most social media platforms that are working on fake news though their work is slow. I think rather than full censorship which may deny citizens the right to information, we can work on new and more effective gatekeepers.”
He, however, tasked the authorities concerned on a massive campaign on self-censorship and filter, saying this will greatly reduce fake news and encourage people to be cautious about what news they consume or spread.
