FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS: THE BLURRY LINES IN-BETWEEN

Social media platforms have gotten crazily rageous with arguments and counter-arguments on the position the Zamfara State government has taken to deal severely with people who scuttle its efforts to restore peace in the state through spreading of fake news. 

It isn't an exaggeration to assert that Zamfara has never seen a better pro-media administration than the one of Governor Bello Matawalle, the very reason which informed his decision to create New Media Office for the first time since the creation of Zamfara State. 

Voltaire once said: "Though I may disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it". This has been the position of His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle.

However, freedom of expression has its own limitations. There are unenchroachable areas as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) under article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which projects some exceptions as it states that, "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice".

The version of Article 19 in the ICCPR later amends this by stating that the exercise of these rights carries special duties and responsibilities and may therefore be subject to certain restrictions when necessary or respect of the rights or reputation of others "or the PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY or OF PUBLIC ORDER, or of PUBLIC HEALTH or Morals.

Freedom of speech and expression, therefore, may not be recognized as being absolute, and common limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech relate to libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, sedition, incitement, fighting words, classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets, food labelling, non-disclosure agreement, the right to privacy, PUBLIC SECURITY, and perjury."

Thus, the government has that responsibility to exert restrictions on the. freedom where the rights of other people are encroached as it relates to PUBLIC SECURITY, right to privacy etc. However, it is unfortunate how some of our youth think they have the right to spread fake news on security to drive their political agenda. 

Such restrictions only seek to protect loftier human rights as limitless freedom is a mirage everywhere in the world. I still remember how I used to feel tethered by my conscience when I tried to unearth my thoughts about the previous administration. Self-censorship should always be allowed to sift chaff from grain. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma

SSA New Media

7/10/2019