The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategies, who was also nominated as ministerial nominee, Dele Alake, has indicated that while he is an advocate of freedom of the press, he will not support absolute freedom without responsibility.
This was just as the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, shielded him from responding to some sensitive and critical questions by some senators.
Alake who appeared before the Senate on Wednesday in continuation of the ongoing screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees categorically stated that under his watch as Information Minister, if so appointed, Nigerian press will be regulated to avoid abuse and dis-stability.
He told the senators that he would ensure that the government strengthens the rule of law and adequately regulates the media.
Alake said that even though social media has advantages, its downside has become highly detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.
He 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.
His words: “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 has 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.”
Acknowledging that misapplication of social media could be detrimental to society, Alake said he would encourage the government to strictly apply laws regulating both the mainstream and social media.
He also said sanity can be achieved with a re- orientation of social values, ensuring executive obedience to legislative oversight, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers.
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