National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo, has decried the use of social media influencers by desperate politicians to circulate fake news.

He said encouraging such distorted reports especially during electioneering period were capable of destroying the corporate existence of the country.

Isiguzo, who spoke in Awka, Anambra state, enjoined politicians to see election as normal game of winners and losers.

He said, “In their desperation, they engage in all manner of activities like mudslinging, name calling, character assassination.

“These are vices you cannot observe in sane climes as witnessed during Nigeria’s recent electioneering campaigns.

“When politicians begin to see election as normal game of winners and losers, you will see that the spread of fake news will begin to drop.”

Isiguzo however absolved registered members the union of blame in the fake news spread, attributing the ugly trend to local political actors.

“It is obvious from experience that local political actors are indeed originators of these fake news; they use those they brand as social media influencers to spread such negative news designed to achieve their desired goals.

“Journalists do not really engage in ferreting fake news, but these are largely the handiwork of untrained elements, who are just armed with smart mobile phone equipped with data.

“If you go to the social media and check well, you will not see journalists spreading fake news. The trained ones are aware that fake news is deliberate disinformation,” he added.

The NUJ boss however, revealed plans by his administration to curb the spread of fake news in Nigeria. (NAN)

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