Kano State Government may be considering legislative measures to check the irresponsible use of social media, particularly the spread of fake news, misinformation and online content capable of undermining public peace and security.
That is, if the proposal made by Governor Abba Yusuf’s Director General on Media and Publicity, now a Commissioner Nominee, Sanusi Bature, during his screening before the Kano State House of Assembly, represents the position of the State government.
What appeared to be a routine screening took a different turn as lawmakers questioned the nominee on Media responsibility and the growing influence of social media in a State with more than thirty radio stations, several TV stations and an active online community.
Responding, Bature said, if confirmed and assigned the Information portfolio, he would recommend a Bill to the State government to regulate social media use and curb what he terms, the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation capable of triggering public unrest.
Bature also pledged to establish mechanisms to ensure that government-appointed social media handlers receive adequate training and are held accountable for the content they publish.
Bature’s appearance before the lawmakers marks another step in his rising political career within Kano’s media and communication landscape.
In just three and a half years, he has moved from Chief Press Secretary to Director General on Media and Publicity, and now a Commissioner nominee.
His possible deployment to the Ministry of Information is already attracting attention, particularly following the recent redeployment of the Ministry’s former occupant to the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
