An Abuja-based media outfit, PRNigeria has released a preliminary report on 101 instances of fake news on the End SARS protest.
The Editor-in-Chief, Yushau Shuaib, at a public presentation on Wednesday, said misleading assertions partly caused the civil disorder in affected states.
Shuaib stressed that fake news constitutes a potential threat to democracy and national unity.
He charged federal, state and local governments to create sustainable jobs and empower the youths.
The former National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman told authorities to stop hoarding of information.
The media expert also appealed to security agents to always display professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
PRNigeria findings revealed that about 52 fake news emerged from South-West, 19 from the South-East and 30 from the North.
It discovered that social media influencers make up 40 percent of those who transmitted fake news, other social media users – 31 percent, local and international media – 22 percent, and institutions – 7 percent.
The report said fact-checking tools detected 48 incorrect social media posts and 53 news stories.
“The timeline of dissemination indicates that 31 percent of the fictitious claims were circulated on the internet between October 3 to 19, 2020 (pre-Lekki shooting).
“However, 69 percent were shared between October 20 and November 5, 2020 (post-Lekki shooting)”, it read.
Shuaib announced that the full report on the findings will be unveiled in January 2021.
