Media Summit: Yobe Govt Moves to Curb Misinformation Ahead 2027 Elections
From Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has trained mainstream and social media practitioners on the responsible use of digital platforms, particularly in reporting and discussing political issues ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists at the media summit, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Information, Abdullahi Bego, said the initiative was designed to equip young people and other social media practitioners with the skills required to use digital platforms effectively, responsibly and in accordance with the law.
Bego said the media landscape was evolving rapidly as a result of advances in communication technologies and the expansion of social media platforms.
According to him, Governor Mai Mala Buni remained committed to strengthening news and information dissemination across the state.
He said the state government had recently organised a workshop in Kano for media aides to Governor Mai Mala Buni and other political appointees, where participants were trained on the effective use of social media and its evolving dynamics.
The commissioner said the governor subsequently directed the organisation of a larger workshop for social media practitioners who were not employees of the state government.
He explained that the initiative was intended to bring social media practitioners and mainstream media professionals together to interact, exchange ideas and explore ways of using digital tools to create community impact and promote meaningful engagement.
He added that communication scholars from various academic institutions had been invited to present papers and engage participants on issues relating to social media, journalism and responsible communication.
“Participants have had the opportunity to enhance their skills, deepen their understanding of social media and learn how to use digital platforms more effectively, responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” he said.
The commissioner described misinformation, disinformation and malinformation as global challenges, noting that they were not limited to Yobe State or Nigeria.
He said efforts to control the spread of false information remained difficult because social media platforms did not operate with the same traditional gatekeeping structures as conventional media.
“Individuals can go online and publish content with little or no editorial oversight,” he said.
Bego, however, said the enlightenment initiative was aimed at encouraging participants to use social media constructively and recognise its potential benefits to society.
He also stressed the importance of understanding the legal implications of publishing content, noting that false publications about individuals could attract legal consequences under laws relating to defamation, libel and other offences.
“Our intention is not to create an alarm. Rather, we seek to help people understand how to use social media effectively, responsibly and in ways that are beneficial not only to themselves but also to the society in which they live,” he said.
On the 2027 elections, Bego said election periods were usually characterised by heightened public discourse across radio, television, newspapers and social media.
He urged social media users to discuss candidates and political issues in a civil, factual and responsible manner.
According to him, political commentary should not impugn the integrity or character of individuals or expose users to unnecessary legal action.
He further urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at the summit to promote constructive public debate on leadership, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of the people of Yobe State.
