RATTAWU WEEK: DEVPT EXPERT CAUTIONS AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA CLAMP DOWN, SUPPORTS THEY BE TAXED
REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
A human development expert, Mr. Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, has emphasized the need for goverment to adopt template that is in tandem with democractic principles to regulate the social media rather than adopting policies that inhibit the operations of the platform as agent of communications and social mobilization.
Mr. Okenwa stated this during a lecture entitled: “Social Media Regulation: Impact & Implications” organized by Radio Television & Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), FRCN Chapter Enugu, as part of activities marking their week.
Mr. said that social media was critical as an instrument of advocacy, intervention, engagement, and mobilization, insisting that government should be able to model their policies after countries that had come up with good framework.
Mr. Okenwa welcomed the move by the Federal Government to tax social media companies, maintaining that it was right because the companies generate commercial revenues from the nation.
In a remark, the Deputy Director News, Chief Stone Echereobia Agomoh, noted that people should not consume everything that they see on the social media, rather should be disciplined enough to fact check information on the platforms.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe, appealed to Nigerians to always consider the implication of the things they push to the social media, to avoid setting the society on fire.
The National President of RATTAWU, represented by the National Vice President South, Prince Emeka Kalu, felicitated with the Union, particularly its State Chairman, Comrade Ndidi Chude, for the mentorship he had provided, while urging them to sustain the achievements.
In her address, the Chairman, RATTAWU, FRCN Enugu Chapter, Comrade Trish Eze, noted that the event became imperative to evaluate the activities of the the Union and its membership and to create a forum for exploring avenues to improve the welfare of members and be exposed to educational and information management.
In a goodwill message, the Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by the Secretary of the State Goverment, Professor Simone Ortuanya, who wàs honoured as the grand patron of the Union, said the honour was significant in so many ways.
He saying that he would not take it for granted, and commended the Union for such an event, as he assured them that government would continue to partner the media.
The event attracted top FRCN Management staff and prominent media personnel in Enugu including, the Deputy Director Programmes, Mr. Gregory Odiakosa; the General Manager, Coal City FM, Mrs. Joy Obitulata; the Enugu State Chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Ndudi Chude; and the RATTAWU Chairman, Enugu Broadcasting Service, ESBS Comrade Chris Anigbogu.
The event featured presentations of awards to some members of staff for their dedications and hardwork.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
