68 Gombe youths trained to curb fake news, hate speech

At least 68 youths benefitted from a one-day sensitisation workshop on combating fake news and hate speech ahead of the 2023 general election. The workshop which was held in Gombe, was organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Aishatu Jibril Dukku, for members of her ‘Social Media Team’ drawn from Dukku and Nafada […]

At least 68 youths benefitted from a one-day sensitisation workshop on combating fake news and hate speech ahead of the 2023 general election.

The workshop which was held in Gombe, was organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Aishatu Jibril Dukku, for members of her ‘Social Media Team’ drawn from Dukku and Nafada Local Governments Areas of Gombe state.

The lawmaker, who represented Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, said she targeted youths because they constituted about 80 per cent of the social media presence, especially on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram platforms, where fake news and hate speeches are mostly perpetrated.

She said the workshop aimed at expanding the perception of the participants, who are members of her social media team, on how to curtail the two vices in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Dukku added that as her core supporters she sought to discourage them from using the free space provided by the online and social media, to carry out hate or any dangerous speech capable of causing violence in the state or damaging the image of her political opponents.

“As members of ‘Mama Shatu Media Team’ I feel obligated to educate them on the implication of engaging in hate speech and other activities capable of causing chaos while on the social media platforms.”

Dukku, therefore, urged them to abide by media ethics when promoting her projects and programmes, especially the use of the new Election Act 2022.