The need for social media practitioners and the general public to collaborate with security agencies and other organizations in solving common security challenges in Nigeria through provision of vital information has been stressed.
This was the center point of the media hangout held in Awka by the Association of Digital Media Core Advocates, ADMCA, in a parley with digital media practitioners and Journalists.
Correspondent, Emmanuel Okonkwo reports that
the event tagged, “Role of Citizen Journalism in Improving Neighbourhood Safety”, attracted media practitioners and social media experts from across the state and beyond.
In his address, the convener of the event and the National President of ADMCA, Comrade Harris Chuma while listing the importance of social media in crime fighting when properly managed by the users, made a strong case for government at all levels to develop the “Citizens Centre for Social Media”, pointing out that such will assist government agencies in designing policies and procedures that would enable them utilize social media in fighting crimes.
Delivering a lecture on the theme of the event, a Guest Lecturer, Mr.
Chikwendu Madu emphasized the need for the masses to always be at alert and to report any suspicious movement or activities to security agents, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
In a remark, the chairman on the occasion and MD/CEO of the ABS, Chief Uche Nworah while describing information as a vital tool in crime fighting, said that the theme of the event is apt especially in the current security situation of the country.
In a paper presentation, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Emma Ifesinachi observed that though social media has brought about lots of development in today’s society, the increasing negative sides seem to be overweighing its benefits, as it encourages circulation of fake news and suggested that regulatory bodies of the media should be strengthened to enforce the media code of ethics in the country as well as unionize and train social media practitioners across Nigeria.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nich Ihueze, caution the general public against publication of false information, as according to him, fake news is capable of destabilizing the society.
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