Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called for decorum among social media users in Nigeria.
Speaking at a zoom meeting to observe the 2021 World Social Media Day with a theme: Social media, democracy, good governance and economic development: Understanding the matrix, Governor Diri who acknowledged the role of the social media in a democracy said freedom of expression remains a key ingredient in democratic growth.
Describing the social media as a veritable tool to enhance good governance and sustainable development, the state helmsman however, warned that the social media should not be seen as purveyors of fake news.
“As a government, we are social media friendly and of course, we will continue to support the social media and expect that some forms of decorum will be practiced. In as much as I support the social media, I am also not one who will subscribe to using the social media for blackmail, malicious posts and what Donald Trump will call fake news. But the social media as I said is a veritable tool for governance, families, friends and individuals.
And I don’t think that government should over regulate the use of social media because if we are practicing democracy, then one basic ingredient of democracy is freedom as this will enhance democracy in Nigeria. The social media should be allowed to make constructive criticism and such should come with responsibility”, Diri stated.
The Governor commended his New Media team headed by Mr. Kola Oredipe, for deploying various social media platforms to project programmes and policies of the Prosperity Administration.
Earlier, in a welcome address, State Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Ayiba Duba, who said the importance of social media cannot be over-emphasized, noted that its behoves on the state government to continue doing what is right to engender good governance.
The lead speaker who is a Professor of Communication, Professor Godwin Okon, said social media had become a critical tool to enhance good governance and development.
While advocating for more investment in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and capacity building for practitioners, Professor Okon, who is the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, said rights to freedom of expression must come with every sense of responsibility.
Other speakers on the occasion were Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, former Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Collins Cocodia, Dr. Mathew Aiyebakuro, and Mr. Harry Porbeni.
The Director New Media to the Governor whose office organised the event, Mr. Kola Oredipe, noted that the state government was investing in the capacity building of the New Media Team members for professionalism and effectiveness.
