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Tackling Fake News Amidst Constitutional Freedoms – Insights from Folashade Alli, SAN

Together, let us strive to build a more informed and resilient community.

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2024

Stella Charles Akupue

Tackling Fake News Amidst Constitutional Freedoms - Insights from Folashade Alli, SAN

Folashade Alli, SAN, C.ARB is the principal partner at Folashade Alli and Associates, with an illustrious career spanning over the years. She is a highly respected figure in Nigeria’s legal community. She has garnered acclaim as one of the top arbitrators in the country. Her vast experience encompasses various facets of commercial legal practice and international arbitration, establishing her as a seasoned expert at helming intricate legal terrains.

During the 2024 NBA-YLF National Summit with the theme “Breaking The Old Order of Governance and Advocacy”, Folashade Alli, a guest speaker, addressed the Youth Leadership Summit Technical Session. The topic of discussion, “Between Fake News and Guaranteed Constitutional Freedom of Speech, Where Do We Draw the Line?” resonates deeply with the challenges we face in today’s society.

The term “fake news” carries significant weight in our digital age. It refers to misinformation presented as genuine information, often with the intent to deceive.

Folashade emphasized the importance of understanding the Constitutional provisions for freedom of speech while highlighting that freedom of speech does not absolve individuals from the consequences of their words.

The audience comprised a diverse mix of young lawyers, seasoned professionals, and journalists. Underscored the detrimental impact of fake news by drawing on real-life examples, including instances where fake news has incited electoral violence, leading to a threat to democracy itself.

The learned Silk highlighted the tragic consequences of fake news, which have resulted in loss of life and fueled societal tensions, including ethno-religious conflicts and public mistrust.

In empowering the audience to combat the spread of fake news, she shared practical tips for identifying misinformation:

Source Evaluation: Consider the source’s credibility before believing or sharing information.
Critical Reading: Look beyond sensational headlines and delve deeper into the content.
Image Verification: Verify that images accompanying articles are relevant and authentic.
Fact-Checking: Always verify information from multiple reliable sources before accepting it as true.

Folashade urged young lawyers to exercise critical thinking and diligence in consuming and sharing information, emphasizing our collective responsibility in combatting fake news and safeguarding democracy.

We all must play an active role in minimizing the spread of fake news and its detrimental effects on society. Together, let us strive to build a more informed and resilient community.

Folashade Alli SAN, C.ARB

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