SAN FRANCISCO, January 09, (THEWILL) – Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has declared that fake news has become a threat to mankind, adding that it may trigger World War 3.
Soyinka said this in Abuja on Wednesday as a panelist at BBC News‘ symposium tagged: ‘Countering Fake News’.
He said, “I’ve said this before that fake news may cause World War 3 and the fake news will be started by a Nigerian.”
The playwright said it was unfortunate that many false statements have been attributed to him.
He added, “During the last Presidential election I was quoted as saying that it serves President Jonathan right for marrying an illiterate.
“Sometimes some people quote me as saying if you vote for a particular candidate, your mother is a goat or your father is a gorilla.”
Soyinka said last year he saw his obituary many times on social media causing many people to call his phone.