The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria has raised concerns over the negative influence of the social media on minors in the country.
The organisation also expressed worry over the unethical use of digital communication technologies to violate the rights of minors, especially on social media.
It called on government at all level to devise a means of its regulation.
The ACSPN said there had been a pandemic of ethnic vituperations and weaponisation of ethnic diatribes in the digital engagements of Nigeria, adding that it is destructive for national development.
This was contained in a communique issued on Sunday, by the General Secretary of ACSPN, Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie at the end of its 10th annual conference theme, “Digital communication agenda and Nigeria’s transformation”, which was held in Abuja.
it noted that evolving global digital trends in journalism, particularly emerging technologies have significantly changed journalism practice.
The communique reads in parts, “There is a prevalent unethical use of digital communication technologies to violate the rights of minors, especially on social media. Social media regulation is challenging, and the government has yet to device a means of social media governance.
“Social media behavioural patterns are triggered by frustration with developments in the country. Digital revolution has empowered FinTech and entrepreneurship innovations.
“Digital engagements are impacting on Nigeria’s nationalism and has created a vibrant online community that is showcasing its diversity, including the Diasporans who are leveraging on digital platforms to showcase our culture.
“There is a pandemic of ethnic vituperations and weaponisation of ethnic diatribes in Nigeria’s digital engagements, and this is destructive for national development.”
Among other decisions, the ACPSN resolved that communication scholars and practitioners should offer relevant and significant contributions to guide government in terms of policy formulation and implementation in the area of digital communication.
The stakeholders also resolved that the ACSPN and other communication and media-related associations should coexist and collaborate to promote communication professionalism and scholarship in Nigeria and globally.
“Ethics and quality of research and publications should be prioritized to enhance the contributions of scholars and professionals to media and communication practice.
“Communication scholars in Nigeria should increase their visibility in the digital space through research in high-quality journals and other digital publications.
“Educational institutions and other stakeholders in the media and communication industry should provide resources for communication educators to enhance teaching and productivity in scholarship and media practice.
“Communication training institutions should develop new mindsets by using AI for teaching assessments, virtual tutoring, teaching evaluation, and other opportunities. Stakeholders in the Nigerian digital space should not prioritize aesthetics over accuracy and correctness of information in the digital media space,” the communique continued
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