FAKE NEWS: PRESIDENCY CALLS FOR CRIMINALIZATION OF FAKE NEWS FOLLOWING THE CIRCULATION OF FALSE REPORTS 01-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Presidency has called for the criminalisation of fake news following the circulation of false reports claiming the dismissal of the Ministers of Defence and Power.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemns the spread of such misinformation, stating that fake news is simply licentiousness and must be criminalised.
It argues that this appeal aligns with the government’s broader efforts to combat the proliferation of false information, which officials stress that they undermine national stability and public trust.
The Presidency says the call for stringent measures against fake news has sparked discussions about the balance between curbing misinformation and preserving freedom of expression.