PRESIDENCY TO CRACK DOWN ON ERRING WEBSITES

The Presidency has directed security agencies to take action against websites, platforms, and individuals spreading fake news without verifying the authenticity of their reports.

This decision follows a viral social media report claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sacked some ministers from his cabinet.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, quoted a disclaimer shared by Renewed Hope United Kingdom, a Tinubu support group, on X (formerly Twitter). Onanuga called on security agencies to treat the spread of fake news as a criminal offense.

According to Onanuga, freedom of speech and press freedom do not extend to spreading false information or narratives without regard for truth.

“Security agencies must urgently take action against fake news websites and platforms and the purveyors who fail to check the authenticity of the stories and make them go viral,” Onanuga said, adding that “Press freedom and freedom of speech will not exist when some people can wake up and concoct their news and narratives without regard for truth. Fake news is simply licentiousness and must be criminalised.”

Meanwhile, the viral story, first published by Phoenix browser, with the headline, ‘BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Ministers of Defense and Power,’ claimed that the president has fired Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and the duo of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Bello Matawalle, who are Minister of Defense and Minister of State for Defense, respectively.