DSS Operative
DSS Seek
DSS Operative
DSS Seek Legislation Against Fake News
The Department of State Security (DSS) and Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for new legislation to
curtail the spread of fake news
The DSS Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya made at the call at
disinformation and misinformation Seminar organised by Centre for
Democracy and Development, CDD.
Afunaya said: “Why don’t’ we begin to look at the issue of
legislation. In Japan, and other countries, there is a common
agreement by convention and legislation that forbid their media
from promoting subversive narratives because terrorists feed on
publicity. Once you cut the oxygen of publicity, they become
disinterested in their actions.”
He insisted that the DSS is a victim of the fake news syndrome
when he cited false claim that Ibrahim El Zakzaky, leader of the
Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and the former National Security
Adviser (NSA) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki died
while in custody of the DSS.
However, he called for responsible actions from all stakeholders
saying that absolute law and absolute privilege don’t exist
anywhere except for absolute responsibility.
“There are rights to demonstrations and protests, yes, but there
are no absolute rights. You claim the right to freedom of movements
but if there is a lawful curfew, that right of movement is
restricted. Even rights to life, we do not have the right to take
our lives not to talk of others. Understanding all of these will
help us to be responsible citizens,” the DSS spokesman said.
In his remarks, Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, also
decried the negative impacts of fake news, especially during
elections.
“I join the idea of the past speakers who called for legislation
to regulate fake news,” he stated.
But Idayat Hassan from the CDD and Dr. Garba Abari,
Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) said it
would be difficult to gag the social media, but stressed that
existing laws on cybersecurity and the penal codes should be well
implemented.