Abstract

New threats of fake news and hate speeches are emerging as global threats to democracies across the globe. They have further become very effective due to widespread availability and adoption of information and communication technology tools, especially the social media. However, governments either at the state or Federal levels, have provided several options to tackle the menace. Against this backdrop, this paper examined the response of the Nigeria government and State agencies to these threats. Critical analysis of literature, media reports, social media posts and purposive interviews were conducted to understand public reaction to government’s responses to these threats. The paper revealed among other things that government’s response to fake news and hate speech is noble. However, the approach has led to series of abuse of fundamental human rights of the citizenry, especially freedom of speech and privacy. It further revealed that majority of the people viewed such responses as undemocratic and fascist. The paper, among other things recommended inclusive policies, mass education and good governance.

Key Words: Hate Speech; Fake News; Elections; Freedom of Information Act; Human Rights

Authors’ Bio

*Olasupo Olakunle Thompson is a lecturer in the History and International Studies Unit, Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. His areas of interests are in Social History, International Studies, Gender History and Vulnerable Population Studies.

**Onyekwere George-Felix Nwaorgu, Ph.D., is a Reader in Critical thinking and Philosophy of Science in the Department of Communication and General Studies of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. He holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

***Abiodun Shamsideen Afolabi, Ph.D., teaches History in the Department of History and International Studies and doubles as Chief Archivist of the Archives and Documentation Centre of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He obtained Ph.D. in History from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and his area of doctoral research is Economic History, focusing on tax-related revolts in South-western Nigeria.

****Remi Rebecca Aduradola, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Communication and Cultural Studies in the Communication and English Studies Unit, Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Her areas of research interest are: Communication, ICTs, English language and Literary Studies, Gender and Cultural Studies.

*****Uche Samuel Odozor, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, where he teaches Logic, Ethics and Communication in the Philosophy Unit, Department of Communication and General Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His research focus is on Evolutionary (Biology) Ethics, Moral Philosophy and Social Development.

******Oluniyi Emmanuel Ademola, Ph.D., teaches courses on Politics, Peace, Security and Conflict Studies in the Department of Communication and General Studies, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He holds a B.Sc. in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Masters  and PhD  degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria. His research focus is on regional and sub-regional organizations, conflict management; Oil and Gas Resource Production, Resources exploration politics and conflicts among oil-producing communities.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, October 2019, pp. 159 - 171