ministerial nominee advocates stiffer regulations for social media

Ministerial nominee from Ekiti State, Mr. Dele Alake, has stressed the need to strengthen social media regulations with a view to reducing or ending fake news in the country.

Alake, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State and now the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, spoke while fielding questions from senators during his screening by the Senate.

He said that even though social media has advantages, its downside had become highly detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.

The media guru said regulations must be strengthened and tested to ensure that social media is not used in a manner that threatens the internal security of Nigeria.

“The downside of social media is that it is detrimental to a good and decent society. What I would support is the strengthening of regulations. There are laws that guide our conduct in every area of human endeavour but the application of these laws have been shut.

“Even victims of libel, aspersions, defamation and all kinds of negative things in the media, hesitate to also apply the law against the culprits. I will recommend the strengthening of our regulations and the applications of those laws. The laws must be tested so we can know the proficiency of those regulations.

“I will support anything that comes from this hallowed chamber that promotes that course of action. If there are laws, bills and motions in line with this, please be sure of our full cooperation,” he explained.