#EndSARS: FG could’ve shut down social media but chose not to – Youth minister

Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare says the Federal Government respects freedom of expression of Nigerian youths, hence its decision not to shut down social media during the #EndSARS protests.

He spoke on “Sunrise Daily”, a popular Channels Television programme on Monday.

Dare said that the Federal Government deserved commendation for not toeing the path of some other countries that had introduced one form of control or another over cyberspace.

The minister said despite the tremendous benefits of social media, a form of regulation must be put in place to curtail “fake news”.

“There must be some level of responsibility and some level of punishment to those that create chaos out of mischief in our country,” the minister said.

He noted that social media was used to mobilize for the EndSARS protests, insisting that fake news spread through the various platforms and worsened violence.

“The fact that our youths used it to mobilise is commendable. But the talk about the regulation of the social media has been around for a while. We’ve seen other countries taking practical steps in that direction, this country has not done that.

“Even during the #EndSARS protests, the country had an option (but) the country never went for that final option.

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“There was no time the cyberspace was shut down, people were still able to connect themselves through the various social media platforms. And that shows a government that is committed to the rights of freedom and association of every citizen of this country,” Dare said.