LEGAL ISSUES IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND FAKE NEWS IN AN UNSECURED NIGERIA

Abstract

The advert of the internet has shifted humanity from the traditional mode of doing things to electronic platforms. There are various channels where information is disseminated on the net fondly called the ‘social media’ under the traditional mode news and views are subjected to censorship, and various editorials to sieve the offensive aspects. Regulatory bodies have been put in place to whip into line any media house that appear to be flouting the guidelines which draw red lines. However, the social media has defied the territorial boundaries of Nigeria as it is borderless in a globalized world. The characteristics of the internet which include accessibility, easy to use and above all anonymity has made everyone a journalist who by the click of the button publish materials which are more often than not fake, injurious and treasonable. Criminal elements have found the use of social media a ready tool to promote their crime without being caught. This paper therefore examines the legal issues involved in the use of social media to propagate fake news particularly now that Nigeria is facing insecurity in all its facets. This paper recommends that there should be a deliberate effort at legislatingthe use of social media.