CRSHA: Lawmakers call for caution in the use of social media

The Cross River State House of Assembly has called for caution in the negative use of social media in the state.

This was part of the resolutions of the House following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised at plenary on Thursday, 1st August, 2019 by Member Representing Akamkpa 11, State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Charles Okon.

Rt. Hon. Okon while moving the motion called on the social media users to stop the circulation of fake information and blackmail of state policies, adding that the right information should be spread for a better Cross River.

In his contribution, The Leader of the House and Member representing Ogoja State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey stressed on the need to regulate social media activities in the state, noting that when people publish complete falsehood they should be punished for it.

According to Rt. Hon. Itam Abang, “In other climes, the role of social media is to disseminate information that will guide people, but what we have here is to bring people’s reputation down because somebody somewhere doesn’t like your face, let us nib this at the bud”, she cautioned.

On his part, Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi observed that although the Freedom of Press is upheld by the 9th Assembly, It is important for online journalists to report exactly what they heard and not twist the facts.

Other members who spoke on the matter align themselves with the motion calling on the House to set up machinery for the appropriate punishment for fake and unprofessional reportage.

The House in its resolutions, condemned in strong terms, the negative use of the Social Media to blackmail, cast negative aspersion on the integrity of His Excellency, the Governor and all other Public Officers in the State.

The resolution also condemned the deliberate use of Social Media to misinform the public on the act of Governance.

The House noted that Cross River State House of Assembly supports free press and rights of expression as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.