Arewa media writers vow to mitigate fake news

The Arewa Media Writers Association (AMWA) has said one of its cardinal principles is to mitigate the spread of falsehood and fake news, mostly circulated by the users of social media.

Chairman Plateau state chapter of the association, Malam Abba Abubakar Yakubu, stated this at the annual general meeting of AMWA held in Jos.

He called on members of the association to continue to lead by example of not only desisting from writing and disseminating stories that will create division, hate and unnecessary tension among Nigerians but also shun any story that is fake and unverifiable.

“As writers, we should always see ourselves as educators and enlighteners of the people. We must also strive to ensure that the spread of fake news among users of social media is mitigated, particularly here in the North,” he said.

According to Malam Yakubu, members should be more concerned and interested in writing about human angle stories than dwelling on scandals and imaginary tell-tales, calling the attention of government to better development of health facilities, education, economy, environment, security and other issues that have direct bearing on the masses.

He said as writers, the association would get down to secondary schools with the aim of training students on how best to utilise the social media to positive advantage.

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