Social Media Regulation: FG Not Attempting To Gag The Media – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that
the recent move by the Federal Government to regulate the social
media space from fake news and hate speech is not aimed at gagging
the media.

Mr Mohammed made this known when he received the National
Executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its
President, Christopher Isiguzo on a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said that if the NUJ and other media professional bodies,
they should reach out and engages the government, instead of
rushing to the media to condemn the move to protect the integrity
of the media.

“As a professional body for journalists, the NUJ has its code of
ethics for journalists, and this guides their operation. To the
best of my knowledge, the trained, professional journalists cannot
afford to engage in fake news, because this will kill public trust
in the media. They also cannot afford to engage in hate speech,
because of its implication for national peace and unity. After all,
there has to be a country before you can even practice your
profession.

“When we announced the plan to regulate the social media, we
said clearly that the regulation is not an attempt to gag the media
or muzzle free speech; we said journalists have nothing to
fear.”

Mr Mohammed urged media practitioners to lead in sanitizing the
social media space because they will be the first victim when the
people lose confidence in the media due to the reckless actions of
non-journalists and purveyors of fake news and hate speech.

“We will not unilaterally impose measures aimed at injecting
sanity into the social media space. We will work with stakeholders,
including the NUJ, Guild of Editors, Newspaper Proprietors
Association of Nigeria, the Civil Society, Online Publishers,
Bloggers, etc.

“Already, we have dispatched letters to these stakeholders. A
government that has the intention of gagging the media won’t engage
stakeholders in dialogue on the way forward.”

He explained that the Federal Government has taken the
initiative to adopt the use of technology, legislation and
regulatory bodies, but it is up to the stakeholders to decide the
best option.

“But we have also taken the initiative to meet, very soon, with
the platform owners, like Facebook, Whatsapp, Google, Twitter and
Instagram, among others, to engage them on the way forward.

“But I must say that rushing to reject the plan without
bothering to understand what it entails is not helpful, and
constitutes panic reaction.”

Mr Mohammed stated that the Federal Government will still go
ahead with the plan to stop purveyors of fake news and hate
speeches. Adding that, no responsible government will allow such
acts to reign freely.

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NAF Commissions Accommodation for NCOs

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has charged personnel of the 407 Air Combat Training Group (407
ACTG) Kainji, Niger State to remain resolute in the performance of
their duties in ensuring the production of combat-ready pilots as
well as sustaining the serviceability of the Alpha Jet aircraft. He
gave this charge today, 18 November 2019, while commissioning 3
newly renovated buildings for Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) at
NAF Base Kainji. Speaking further the CAS, who was represented by
the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command (ATC), Air Vice
Marshal Muhammed Suleiman, said the commissioning was in
furtherance of his commitment to upgrading facilities and living
conditions of personnel of the Unit, which is the home-base of the
NAF Alpha Jets currently deployed to various theaters of operations
in the Country.

The CAS stated that the commissioning would go a long way in
enhancing the professional performance of the Unit’s workforce as
they labour tirelessly to ensure the security of a united Nigeria.
He noted that the objective of emplacing conducive residential
accommodation for personnel was to ensure that they have proper
rest after a hard day’s work in order to enable them discharge
their air and ground functions more efficiently. He therefore
enjoined the beneficiaries of the new accommodation to continue to
do their best in their assigned tasks without being deterred. “Much
as we have sacrificed, let us be propelled by the support and
goodwill of Nigerians to do even more for our Nation. Our loyalty
and service to the Nation must always be our motivation. As we
commission this project, I urge you all, especially the occupants
of these accommodations, to utilize the facilities with high sense
of care and maintenance”, he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 407 ACTG, Squadron
Leader Kingsley Igwegbe, commended the relentless commitment of the
NAF leadership towards ensuring that the Unit’s facility
deficiencies receive speedy and adequate attention. He also used
the opportunity to appreciate the personnel of 407 ACTG for their
hard work and dedication to service. While applauding the hard work
and dedication of the Unit’s personnel, he pledged their resolve to
re-double their efforts while striving for excellence in all
areas.

It may be recalled that, only recently, a newly constructed
Block of 18 Two-Bedroom Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ (SNCOs’)
Quarters as well as some newly renovated facilities, such as the
Base Mosque, Catholic Church, Technicians’ Crew Room and Messes,
were commissioned at 407 ACTG.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force