What is dividing Nigerians is fake news not my policies — Buhari cries out

President Muhammadu Buhari 

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that fake news is gaining momentum and is being used to cause division among Nigerians.

The president said this when he received the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

According to him, it is duty bound on the part of all media workers to fight against all vices threatening the profession to protect their reputation in the society.



He said: “Journalism as a profession is primarily based on being truthful. With the growing increase in fake news the future of your profession is under threat.

“Therefore, you must be ready to correct this and safeguard your professionalism and your reputation.’’

President Buhari, who observed that Information Technology is changing the world, however frowned at the use of technology to promote hatred and violence in the society.



He also condemned the situation where images were being manipulated to give legitimacy to lies or airing voices on radio stations preaching falsehood and hatred.

“Technology is an enabler for good. However in recent times we are seeing this platform more and more being used to instigate violent and hate.

“Nowhere is this disturbing trend more apparent than in the various media platforms where fake news gaining momentum and is being used to divide and destabilize communities and indeed nations around the country.


“We see images being manipulated to give legitimacy to lies. We hear voices on radio preaching falsehood and hatred.

“Like I mentioned a few months ago at a world economic forum in Jordan – since digital information age is borderless this means we must be ready to respond with the best weapon we have – Truth,’’ he said.

President Buhari, therefore, enjoined the board and management of the FRCN to develop strategies to counter fake news and misinformation in the society.



He said: “In the case of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria you must proactively develop programmes based on truth, facts and broader national interests.

“You should also have strategies to react to fake information and sensitise our citizens not to believe stories at face value especially when the source is unknown or not credible or where supporting facts are not available.’’