THE Osun State Government has established a Cybercrime Action Committee amidst moves to address the increasing spate of fake news and cyber bullying in the state.
A statement by Kolapo Alimi, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement on March 24, said the Committee aims to enforce relevant laws regarding cybercrime, cyber bullying, and fake news.
This decision comes amidst rising tensions on social media between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. These online exchanges often devolve into personal attacks, raising concerns about a toxic online environment, it noted.
The commissioner explained that the spread of fake news negatively affects both the government and the opposition parties, adding that all online actors will be held accountable within the legal framework.
“The Committee, domiciled at the Ministry of Justice, comprises of journalists and legal professionals. Its mandate is to identify and address instances of fake news, regardless of the source,” Alimi said.
The Committee will utilize the Cybercrime Act of 2015 as its primary legal framework. This act prohibits the distribution of offensive, false, or misleading information online. Offenders face potential fines or imprisonment.
Amala is a tactical Fact-Checker, who is passionate about using Fact-checking to curb the spread of Misinformation and Disinformation which has become prevalent in the media space. She can be reached on X at muonweblessing and LinkedIn on Amala Blessing Muonwe