Public figures including politicians and activists have to play role to minimize fake news and hate speech that circulate on the social media by denouncing such acts and refrain from being part of it.
Ethiopians are enjoying the freedom of expression that the reform has brought by their beliefs and opinions in the social media without restriction.
Fake news and hate speech are among the messages that are being disseminated in social media, creating confusion among the public.
Lecho Leta Chairman of Oromo Libration Front told ENA that distorted and fake news as well as messages of hatred in social media can result huge destruction within the country unless it is managed.
He insisted on the need to educate the public about the consequences of such act and the need to take responsibility for ones actions.
The role of public figures will be vital as they can easily influence their followers in denouncing such acts and promote responsible use of social media platforms.
In addition to denouncing such acts public figures should have to be refrain from disseminating information that misguide the public, he added.
“This is among our biggest responsibilities. We have to play our citizenship role; we have to be an enemy for such news rather than consuming it”, he said.
Abreha Desta, Chairman of Arena Tigray stressed the need for activists and other individuals, who the public admires, to refrain from disseminating distorted information on social media as it may create confusion and conflict among the people.
He also called on public figures to invest their time in promoting values that the people have in common rather than differences and denounce fake stories.
Abreha has also requested the government to give clear and timely information to the public in order to minimize fake news.
“Confusing the people by false and biased information is not freedom of expression but it is a crime” said Girma Seyfu, who was the sole occupant of an opposition seat during the previous parliament.
He said that the government should prepare some laws and system that can make individuals who disseminate fabricated stories and hate speech accountable.
During his speech deliberated at the end of a two-day discussion on the successes and challenges of the sweeping reforms, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that a law that aimed to control fake news and hate speech on social media is being prepared.
The Premier said the fake news and hate speech that has been spreading widely in the social media forced the government to consider the need for introducing a law.
According to the PM, the government has been communicating with facebook and other social media companies on how to control fake news and hate speech.