Politicians Fueling Fake News in Nasarawa – NUJ , Journalists raise alarm

By Abel Zwànke, Lafia 

The Nasarawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and some practicing journalists in the state  have raised serious concerns over the growing trend of fake news dissemination through social media platforms, particularly Facebook, allegedly fueled by politicians and other citizens in the state.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that some political actors, especially in Lafia and Keffi have deliberately sidelined the mainstream media in favour of social media influencers, who promote unverified and misleading information for political gains.

Investigation revealed that this emerging pattern has not only undermined professionalism in journalism but also contributed to misinformation, public confusion, and political tension in the state.

Some journalists who spoke on the condition of anonymity lamented: “The very act of Nasarawa politicians avoiding the traditional media and preferring to spread propaganda via Facebook is mischievous and speaks volumes about their intent. If your message is credible and genuine, why avoid professional journalists?”

The NUJ Chairman in Nasarawa State, Comrade Salihu Alkali, in an interview with our Correspondent  described the development as a threat to democracy and press freedom.

He said, “We are deeply concerned that some political actors are engaging the services of unregulated social media influencers to spread falsehoods. These individuals, who have no background in journalism ethics or verification standards, are being used to manipulate public opinion and discredit legitimate news sources.”

Alkali warned that the state is heading toward an information crisis if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.

“There should be regulation before the state descends into anarchy because no one is checking the activities of these social media users. Social media is a good tool, but who is checking them?” he asked.

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According to him, both Nasarawa State and the country at large are “sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode” if the use of social media remains unchecked.

He advised politicians to adopt more credible mediums that employ trained professionals and uphold ethical standards.

“Politicians should engage with credible media organizations that have editorial gatekeepers to verify and balance reports. That’s the only way to maintain public trust and avoid a crisis,” he added.

The NUJ Chairman vowed to intensify media literacy campaigns and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to combat the menace of fake news and uphold the integrity of the profession.