The Akwa Ibom State Government has warned bloggers, social media influencers, publishers and other content creators against spreading fake news and malicious publications about the state, saying those found culpable would face legal action.
The government said it had observed with concern what it described as an increasing wave of false, misleading and deliberately fabricated reports targeted at Governor Umo Eno, the state government, its projects and programmes.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the government condemned what it called deliberate attempts by certain individuals and groups to circulate misinformation aimed at misleading the public and damaging the reputation of the administration.
According to the statement, while the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and responsible public discourse, such rights do not extend to the publication of falsehoods, defamatory content or deliberate misinformation.
The government stated that the administration welcomed constructive criticism, robust debate and informed public engagement as essential elements of democratic governance, but stressed that the deliberate fabrication of stories, reckless dissemination of unverified allegations and coordinated campaigns of misinformation would not be tolerated.
It cautioned publishers, bloggers, social media influencers, online platforms, groups and individuals against originating, circulating or amplifying false and malicious information, warning that it reserved the right to pursue appropriate legal measures against offenders in accordance with the laws of Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The government also urged residents to rely only on verified and official sources of information concerning government policies, projects and programmes, while advising them to disregard anonymous and unsubstantiated publications capable of creating confusion and unnecessary apprehension.
It further called on media practitioners and other stakeholders in the information space to uphold the ethics of journalism by ensuring that reports are factual, balanced, properly verified and guided by the public interest.
The statement added that the government remained focused on implementing the ARISE Agenda and would not be distracted by what it described as campaigns of falsehood, misinformation and malicious propaganda aimed at undermining the administration.