A youth group in Abuja on Friday called on the Federal Government and major technology companies to take action against the spread of fake news and misinformation.
The group also launched the Forward with Facts (#FWDWithFacts) mass media bus campaign to express its displeasure over the spread of fake news across Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists about the campaign, the group’s media contact, Hannatu Asheloge, said the initiative utilises high-impact visuals on buses in Lagos and Abuja.
She added that the initiative also involves displaying posters on buses in six states nationwide.
Asheloge, who is also a Senior Analyst at Gatefield, an NGO, stated that the campaign aims to educate the public on the dangers of fake news while calling for greater accountability from Big Tech companies.
According to her, fake news is Nigeria’s biggest online threat and has caused “99 per cent harm for online users, especially internet users”.
She emphasised the urgency of the campaign, stating that reports on online harms highlight how critical it is for Nigeria to take action against this crisis.
“If we don’t act, young Nigerians, especially young women, will continue to bear the brunt of misinformation and online abuse.
“This not only harms individuals but also degrades the quality of the internet experience, which is fundamentally unfair.
“That is why it is crucial for us to spread the word and push for accountability. It is time for regulators to step in, set clear rules for Big Tech, and hold them accountable to protect citizens from the dangers of online harms like misinformation,” she said.
Asheloge added that Big Tech platforms have continued to allow false information to spread unchecked, even in countries like Nigeria.
She noted that misinformation has continued to shape public opinion and fuel fear, particularly during elections, health crises, and national emergencies.
According to her, social media companies profit from viral misinformation but do little to stop it, leaving users to deal with the consequences.
Mr Silas Jonathan, a Research and Digital Investigation Manager at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, stated that technology platforms are now showing even less concern over the spread of misinformation.
He noted that this is dangerous, adding that false information fuels fear, causes harm, and puts lives at risk.
Jonathan said that if technology platforms refuse to act, action must be taken against them.
He added that the Forward with Facts campaign advocates for a unified effort to push for better content moderation in Nigeria, particularly to protect vulnerable groups online and curb misinformation, which remains one of the biggest threats to African democracy.
Speaking to a media agency, Hajarat Olapade urged the Nigerian government to introduce policies to regulate random messages that compel recipients to forward them to as many people as possible.
According to Olapade, such messages contribute to the insecurity the country is experiencing and have led to loss of lives.
Amen Peter encouraged Nigerians to always verify information before sharing it, adding that there are many online sources that can help determine whether information is genuine.
Okeme Chubiyojo stated that fake news has helped promote radicalism and extremist ideologies among young people, particularly through social media content.
She also called for policies to regulate information sharing.
