By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nasarawa State Chapter, has adopted far-reaching resolutions aimed at curbing the misuse of social media platforms to spread hatred, falsehood, and divisive narratives across the state.
The resolutions were reached at the Institute’s end-of-month meeting held on Wednesday at its headquarters in Lafia, where members deliberated extensively on what they described as the growing trend of digital recklessness capable of undermining peace and development in Nasarawa State.
Rising from the meeting, the Chapter Chairman, Comptroller Joseph Attah (Rtd), said members unanimously condemned the increasing use of social media to fan political tension, circulate unverified information, and attack government institutions and public figures.
According to the communique issued at the end of the session, the Institute observed that the unchecked spread of misinformation and hate speech online poses a serious threat to the hard-earned reputation of Nasarawa as a peaceful and investment-friendly state in the North-Central region.
The meeting resolved that:
Social media users in the state must embrace responsible communication and desist from using digital platforms to incite hatred or promote divisive narratives.
Bloggers and online influencers should adopt ethical standards consistent with professional public relations and media practice.
Citizens must prioritize verification of information before sharing content capable of causing panic or unrest.
Youths, identified as the most active demographic online, should channel their digital engagement toward promoting unity, development, and the positive image of the state.
Comptroller Attah stressed during deliberations that while freedom of expression remains a constitutional right, it must not be weaponized to destabilize society or sabotage development efforts.
“The image of Nasarawa State is a collective responsibility. When social media is used to inflame passions or circulate falsehoods, it becomes a threat to peace and economic growth,” the communique quoted him as saying.
As part of its resolutions, the Institute announced the launch of the “Nasarawa Digital Sense Initiative,” a programme designed to promote digital literacy, ethical online behavior, and responsible communication among youths and content creators.
The NIPR further resolved to partner with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Information to organize sensitization campaigns and workshops across tertiary institutions, beginning with Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Members at the meeting pledged to take the campaign to grassroots communities, emphasizing that safeguarding the state’s reputation requires collective vigilance and disciplined online engagement.
The Institute concluded by urging residents to use social media as a tool for peace-building, civic engagement, and showcasing the state’s development strides rather than as a platform for hostility.
With these resolutions, the NIPR signaled what it described as a decisive step toward ending digital impunity and restoring responsible online discourse in Nasarawa State.