Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, recently shared a harrowing tale of how fake news nearly tore apart his 40-year marriage. Speaking at an event in Lagos commemorating Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday, Mohammed highlighted the damaging effects of misinformation and disinformation in today’s society.
In a candid revelation, Mohammed recounted how his wife woke him up in the middle of the night to confront him about a false story circulating on social media. The story alleged that government officials, including Mohammed himself, had stashed away billions of dollars in overseas accounts. Despite his efforts to debunk the claim with evidence from the Federal Appropriation Act, his wife struggled to shake off the doubts planted by the fake news.
The incident shed light on the pervasive nature of fake news, with Mohammed recalling how his ministry uncovered numerous online publications dedicated to spreading falsehoods about the government. From rumors of the former president’s demise to manipulated videos targeting political figures, fake news has become a potent tool for those seeking to sow discord and undermine trust in institutions.
Mohammed emphasized the urgent need for action to combat the spread of disinformation and misinformation. He called on social media platforms and intermediaries to take responsibility for amplifying false information and advocated for the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks to safeguard the integrity of information.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by fake news and its detrimental impact on society, Mohammed’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding journalistic integrity and factual accuracy in the age of digital misinformation. Let us heed his call to action and work towards a future where truth prevails over falsehoods.
