Ministerial Screening: Like Buhari's Lai Mohammed, Dele Alake says social media must be regulated

Dele Alake, the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu has called for the regulation of social media during his screening in the senate some moments ago.

Mr. Alake, a key ally of President Tinubu believes that the downside of social media is detrimental to any good society hence the call for its regulation.

He noted further that the enforcement of regulations is also important.

He said: "Social media has two sides. There is the positive side and there is the negative side just like every human endeavor. Now, the positive side we all know is that there is instant news, whatever happens, you get it immediately and you can propagate your information widely in a very short time."

"However, the downside is so detrimental to any good and decent society. What I will support is the strengthening of regulations."

"In my time as a journalist in this country, I realize that there are laws that guide human endeavor at any given time but the application of these laws has been short."

"So I will recommend a strengthening of our regulations and applications of those regulations. It is not just to enact laws but the laws must also be tested."

Mr Alake's comment on social media is in line with calls made by the former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who said in a 2021 interview the Buhari-led administration won't rest until social media platforms are regulated.

The minister, in an interview with NAN in Washington, said the dangers of fake news on social media must be taken seriously.

Mohammed also explained that the online media report that he “sneaked out of Nigeria to meet with Twitter executives’’ in the US is fake.

Others to be screened are Lateef Fagbemi (Kwara), Muhammed Idris (Niger), Ali Pate (Bauchi), and Doris Uzoka (Imo).

They are among the 28 nominees the president, in a letter last Thursday, requested the Senate to confirm.