Lai Mohammed Attributes #EndSARS Protests to Fake News and Disinformation

Severity: Low (Score: 36.9)

Sources: Gazettengr, Punchng

Summary

Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria, stated that the escalation of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020 was largely driven by fake news and disinformation. The protests, which began on October 8, 2020, aimed to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad due to police brutality. Mohammed emphasized that while the protests started as a legitimate expression of public grievances, misinformation quickly hijacked the narrative, exacerbating tensions. He criticized both traditional and digital media for spreading unverified information, which he claims distorted the realities of the situation. The former minister also pointed to the role of international media, particularly CNN, in amplifying misleading reports. He highlighted the urgent need for improved fact-checking and media responsibility to combat the threat of disinformation. Additionally, he reflected on Nigeria's communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the lack of a precedent for such a crisis. Mohammed's comments were made during a forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Key Points: • Lai Mohammed claims fake news fueled the escalation of the #EndSARS protests. • The protests began on October 8, 2020, in response to police brutality. • Mohammed criticized both local and international media for spreading misinformation.

Key Entities

• Nigeria (country)