Ousted Kogi West senator, Dino
Melaye was the toast of a media event on Sunday in Abuja as he bagged the man of
the year award.
But the whole event played out
like one monstrous satirical joke as the man who presented the award at the
Kwararafa Media Award was no less than Malam Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu
Buhari’s Senior Special assistant, whose party just executed a coup de grace
against Melaye in his Kogi West redoubt.
And then Shehu, chairman of the
occasion, after the presentation, went ahead to canvass the control and
regulation of the social media, where Melaye is undoubtedly one of the
influencers, with over one million followers on Twitter and 1.3million
followers on Instagram. On the platforms, Melaye, who belongs to the opposition
Peoples Democratic party had rolled out tweets and posts ridiculing Shehu’s All
Progressives Congress.
Perhaps, Shehu had Melaye in
mind, when he warned in his speech, that leaving the social media to operate
without regulation could result in more lawlessness, violence and deaths,
explaining that the Federal Government is not against free speech.
The Presidential aide said the
emerging modern media platform had played a strong role in promoting
information sharing, strengthening democracy, and building networks of
relationships, but without supervision or control, the nation risks more havoc.
“For instance, the entire Kasuwan
Magani saga that resulted in the death of more than 50 people was because
someone posted misleading information on WhatsApp that went viral.
“All countries in the world are
trying to make laws to check the excesses. Many countries are trying to control
the situation. The Europeans have placed a new law that holds the companies
responsible.
“In the United Kingdom, the
parliament has received a report on social media. There is a youth addiction to
it, just like cigarettes. Without any form of control, it has done harm to
women, ethnic minorities, individuals, institutions and countries,’’ he said.
Shehu said the Minister of
Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had consistently called for a meeting of
stakeholders to agree on modalities for regulating the social media but was
rebuffed.
“The federal government is saying
that stakeholders should come together and agree on regulation. We know that no
matter how bad the situation it favours someone.
“Some have argued that our
constitution already has laws in libel, but the laws of the ‘60s never
anticipated social media.
“No government has the right to
muzzle freedom of speech. We don’t support the taking of lives as punishment.
People insult others and share false information on social media. I hope that
hate speech will be tackled so that Nigeria will be a sane place to live in,’’
he added.
The Senior Special Assistant
noted that in every part of the world journalists go through some form of
training, accreditation and licensing before plying their trade, like doctors,
but “with a phone, a tablet or laptop anyone can reach millions, sometimes for
good and other times with ulterior motives.’’
Shehu said hate speech preceded
the social media, but it was traceable through the media platform and
controlled, explaining that the social media, while emerging, portends a great
force, and needs to be regulated for safety and peaceful co-existence.
The Chief Executive Officer of
Kwararafa Reporters, Emmanuel Bello, said the publication was non-political,
and it rewards politicians, public servants, business executives and
individuals with a distinguished record of service to the nation.
The Special Adviser to the
President, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and Shehu were honoured with
“Media Excellence of the Year’’.
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