Vibrant democracy is measured by freedom of press- NOA

Director General, National Orientation Agency, Garba Abari, has said that the vibrancy of every democracy is measured by the freedom of press in the country. He however said the emergence of social media has thrown out concerns because of its lack of boundaries. Abari, stated this, on Tuesday, at the opening of the stream 2 […]

Director General, National Orientation Agency, Garba Abari, has said that the vibrancy of every democracy is measured by the freedom of press in the country.

He however said the emergence of social media has thrown out concerns because of its lack of boundaries.

Abari, stated this, on Tuesday, at the opening of the stream 2 of capacity building workshop on social media innovations and online reputation management organized by the African Media Network (AMNETT) in collaboration with the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) in Abuja.

He said that social media contents in the country are filled with hate and divisive contents, posing huge threat to the existence of the country thereby calling for responsible and responsive media to take charge of the internet space f the country.

While hinting that the political landscape is set to become agog again with electioneering campaigns, hate speeches would be on the increase in the build-up to the 2019 general elections.

During his speech the President, African Media Network (AMNETT), Aniekan Umanah who is also the convener warned that the growth of the social media users especially in the country cannot be curbed but managed.

He warned that the Nigerian cyber law should be taken advantage of at all times and that Nigerians should be mindful of the security implications of overexposure in the internet.