Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Gbenga Adefaye, has expressed concern over plans in some quarters to regulate the social media space.
Fielding questions from journalists at the institution’s 21st matriculation held in Lagos recently, he said, “I’m wary of government seizing public space in public communications. The best regulation is to get professionals take over the public space. There’s also need for training on fact checking.”
In his address to the matriculating students, he noted the media and mass communications business is as dynamic as they come. With fake news as an epidemic on social media hounding the big and small, thereby threatening social equilibrium, he insisted mass communicators must rise to the occasion.
To him, “the moderators of mass communication education are conscious of these and more. That is why they keep updating the curriculum and have also disaggregated the courses both at the university and polytechnic levels.”
It is to deepen Knowledge.” Advising the students, he urged them to embrace curiosity, diversity, resilience and community. He suggested, “as you leave this ceremony and begin your academic journey, remember that you are not just here to earn a certificate, you are here to become leaders, innovators, and change-makers. The world is facing unprecedented challenges and it is up to your generation to rise to the occasion and create a better future for all.”
