The
Police Command in Cross River has warned social media users and
bloggers operating in the state to desist from using `online’ to spread
fake news. The command gave the warning in a statement by its
Spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, on Friday
in Calabar. Ugbo said that some bloggers and social media users were in
the habit of posting fake news in their blogs and websites to propagate
cheap blackmail by inciting the public against government institutions.
She said that the command, in collaboration with the leadership of
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state would not hesitate to
deal decisively with any individual or group peddling fake news.
According to her, some of the bloggers who have joined the media
profession without requisite training and journalism background were
frustrating the cordial working relationship of NUJ and the Police in
the state. Ugbo said that some unscrupulous social media bloggers were
trying to frustrate the media’s effort and reputation gained in
championing the enthronement of democracy and respect for human rights
in the country. “They are in a habit of posting fake and unconfirmed
stories in their respective websites and social media platforms, aimed
at cheap blackmail and spread of rumour to incite the public against
government institutions.In the same vein, the command wants to
categorically state that the fake news making rounds on social media
that three babies were stolen at the University of Calabar Teaching
Hospital is not true.The story is a blatant lie and calculated attempt
to undermine or tarnish the hospital’s reputation, thereby causing
security breach in the state and the hospital,’’ she stated.Cross River State Police warn social media users and bloggers operating in the state to desist from spreading fake news
The
Police Command in Cross River has warned social media users and
bloggers operating in the state to desist from using `online’ to spread
fake news. The command gave the warning in a statement by its
Spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, on Friday
in Calabar. Ugbo said that some bloggers and social media users were in
the habit of posting fake news in their blogs and websites to propagate
cheap blackmail by inciting the public against government institutions.
She said that the command, in collaboration with the leadership of
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state would not hesitate to
deal decisively with any individual or group peddling fake news.
According to her, some of the bloggers who have joined the media
profession without requisite training and journalism background were
frustrating the cordial working relationship of NUJ and the Police in
the state. Ugbo said that some unscrupulous social media bloggers were
trying to frustrate the media’s effort and reputation gained in
championing the enthronement of democracy and respect for human rights
in the country. “They are in a habit of posting fake and unconfirmed
stories in their respective websites and social media platforms, aimed
at cheap blackmail and spread of rumour to incite the public against
government institutions.In the same vein, the command wants to
categorically state that the fake news making rounds on social media
that three babies were stolen at the University of Calabar Teaching
Hospital is not true.The story is a blatant lie and calculated attempt
to undermine or tarnish the hospital’s reputation, thereby causing
security breach in the state and the hospital,’’ she stated.
