Over the years, social media has evolved as a potential tool for information as well as misinformation dissemination around the world. With the advent of Facebook, twitter and other applications, information is easily shared. Thanks to these innovations we could read and learn about places we haven’t been and interact with people hundreds of miles from us. While these are potential benefits, like many other things, it has potential of been abused, misused and weaponized for propaganda. These shortcomings are not limited to any particular individuals or groups, they occur even among the most enlightened in our society.
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The Nigeria telecommunication commission, NCC, estimates 172 million active mobile subscribers in 2018, a 45 million increase from 2014. Thus, with more Nigerians having access to mobile devices, abuse is inevitable & misinformation and fake news are now easier to circulate. This is imperative in the light of the ravaging novel corona virus pandemic. Nigerians should not just be informed but such messages should also be authentic, devoid of fear and regular in order to defuse panic which if not suitably handled could spiral into a vicious cycle of chaos and confusion.
ABUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND AUTHORITIES
Just recently, a popular Nigerian actress, creator of “JENIFAS DIARY” a television drama, was sentenced together with her spouse to 14 days of community service. Prior to this, photos from birthday party for her better half appeared on her Instagram page with over 20 persons in attendance, including other known Nigerian celebrities.
Consequently, the duo pleaded guilty before a magistrate court for flagging the social distancing directives. An attempt deemed an affront to the government effort at mitigating the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria largest commercial hub. While there are debates from the legal community on the legality of the punitive measures melted out, this singular instance constitute an abuse of social space at a critical period when the world is grieving as well as a flagrant disobedience of authority regardless of motive. Such act could send the wrong notion to over 10million Instagram followers assuming no action was taken.
Another instance of mishandling of social media was demonstrated in South Africa. Like Nigeria, the government also imposed a state lockdown and social distancing directives. Already, the post apartheid nation is dealing with the highest number of confirm cases for an individual country in Africa. Stella Ndabeni-Abraham, the country minister for communication was the talk of the town since a photograph of her having round table meal with five other persons surfaced on twitter feeds. Ordinarily, everyone should have freedom to control his or her spaces but in life-threatening times, such as act unbecoming. As a way of enforcing discipline, she was subsequently suspended by President Ramphosa for two months without pay.
Interestingly, these scenarios are not limited to the Africa continent. Scotland chief medical officer, Dr. Catherine Calderwood, had earlier resigned her position, following the Scottish Sun News online publication of photo of her and her family visiting Earlsferry in Fife – more than an hour drive from her home in Edinburg.
MISINFORMATION AND CONSPIRACIES
Another fountain of anxiety as the world tackles this zoonotic virus is the burden of misinformation and fake news. Notably, is the ongoing controversy on the etiology of the coronavirus. No doubt, it has been choking the social as well as mainstream news media lately. The conspiracy theories of 5G network as a potential cause has generated many uproar with many accusing the government of not been transparent. While the merit of these arguments could be debatable such ideas and beliefs are potentially dangerous at this point in time and could have a negative impact on public compliance with protective measures and public health guidelines.
Been a multi ethnic and non-secular state, with a vastly Christian south and largely Muslim north, it is vital to thread with caution. Messages from alter or mosque should not be inflammatory but based on love, community cohesion and adhesion. At a time when many have lost loves ones to the virus, a countless number are already starving, without food or money as a result of the social and economic hardship stemming from weeks of isolation.
OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBLITIES
Therefore, it is paramount that the ministry of health work closely with its information & culture counterpart to provide clear and consistent communication on the nature of the outbreak, confirmed cases and locations, in customs that are culturally appropriate and acceptable in the light of the unprecedented global level, misinformation and conspiracy theories. Likewise updates on potential research on vaccines and effective treatments
Furthermore, communication on daily updates must be multi driven, it should not be inherent with the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health or the Presidential Taskforce for COVID-19. Citizens and private organisations must take up personal and shared responsibility with a sense of urgency in ensuring that they disseminate information on prevention in their communities, and that this messages they circulate via the local media, town hall meetings or social networks is not only verifiable but also genuine and unvarying.
For social commentators and critics, criticism should not solely be for humour, likes or share. It should be constructive, educating and solution based
Lastly, the belief that Africans or blacks are immune or have some genetic resistance is a farce. Going forward, it is paramount we adhere to directives, practice safe distancing, use of protective marks, regular hard washing, be vigilant and report suspicious activities. Above all, we should not forget our humanity. Solidarity over isolationism. And like a woman in labour, mother earth will survive its rebirth process and we would be ushered into the new El Dorado.
*** Evaborhene Aghogho Nelson is a Nigerian medical doctor and global health scholar at University College, London.
