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Nigerian govt clarifies position on regulation of social media

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified its position on the regulation of social media, especially over the issue of fake news.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made the clarification on Saturday in Lagos, said that government has no intention of shutting down social media.

Speaking further during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lai Mohammed said that his recent call for the regulation of the excesses of social media should not be misinterpreted for a total ban.

He further added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has high regards for freedom of the press adding that its plan is to regulate social media to be responsible and refrain from giving out fake news and hate speech.

READ ALSO: Why we must regulate social media in Nigeria —Lai Mohammed

Mohammed said; “We did not at any time say that we will shut down the social media.

“Social media has come to stay and it will be an attack on democracy to shut it down because it is the fastest way of passing out information all over the world.

“However, it must be regulated to avoid it being used in a manner that it becomes a supplier of fake news and hate speech.

“Also, we will not fold our arms to allow suppliers of fake news and hate speech to use the social media to throw the country into chaos,” he added.

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