The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has urged Nigerians to always stand against fake news
Vice President of the NIPR, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, made the call during an official visit to Lafia on the purported collapse of the newly commissioned Lafia flyover and underpass.
He said the menace of fake news, disinformation and misinformation if left unchecked will have a substantial adverse consequence on the citizenry and their economy.
Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection of the facility, Dandaura clarified speculations on the collapsed sections of the flyover, adding that the structure is safe, fit and motorable.
He said the misleading information had no iota of truth, urging stakeholders to contribute in promoting good narrative about government and the society.
Dandaura condemned the actions of “merchants of falsehood”, stressing that doing so endangers the nation’s reputation locally and globally.
He therefore, challenged organisations to support the integrity initiative of the NIPR to reposition the nation towards sustainable development, calling for the promotion of verifiable, accurate and responsible journalism.
Speaking, Nasarawa state chapter chairman of the NIPR, Joseph Attah, maintained that misinformation was of global concern, describing it as dangerous, evil and damaging.
Attah commended the national officials for visiting the site, verifying the information and sending the right information to the world that no structure built in Nasarawa has collapsed as wrongly and deliberately rumored around to cause public discontent.
He however, charged members of the public to discourage the spread of fake news by discountenancing unverified news items.