Coronavirus: Facebook working with Nigeria against fake news – FG

As a way of stemming the tide of fake news related to the outbreak and spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, the federal government has revealed its partnership with Facebook in this regard.

Speaking on the efforts of the government to deal with those who trigger panic in the society through unfounded reports, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, called on Nigerians not to fall prey to such mischievous persons.

Mohammed, in a statement made available to Legit.ng, said that the US-based online firm has promised the government that it will not hesitate to shut down any site identified as propelling false reports about the epidemic.

The minister said: “They have also assured us that they are taking preemptive action to remove any false or harmful messages about this epidemic and public health in Nigeria 24/7.

“All that Nigerians are required to do is to flag any false or misleading report on the epidemic and Facebook will remove any such report.”

He said that media agencies of the Nigerian government like the NTA, FRCN, NAN, and VON, alongside the ministry, have been directed to intensify their sensitisation and enlightenment moves in all parts of the country on the disease.