Global rights body, Amnesty International, has condemned the rise in ethnocentric narratives inciting tribal hatred through social media, The PUNCH reports.
The organisation also accused influential people such as journalists and political figures of sharing inciting posts on social media.
This was contained in a statement by its spokesperson, Isa Sanusi, which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday night.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International has noted a shocking and significant rise in recent social media posts inciting tribal hatred — using ethnic slurs that have gone unchecked. Influential people such as journalists and political figures were among those sharing the inciting posts.”
The PUNCH reports that there has been a rise in tribal bigotry on the social media space following the conclusion of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The narratives, however, increased following events of voter disenfranchisement and targeted attacks on persons of certain ethnicities during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections held on Saturday, March 18.
Amnesty International also urged the Nigerian authorities to prohibit advocacy of hatred that constituted incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence.
It also urged social media companies to rapidly scale up their content moderation efforts.
Sanusi added, “Nigeria authorities have an obligation to prohibit advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence. The authorities must urgently denounce any statements, online or otherwise, which advocate violence against a specific ethnic group.
“Social media companies also have a responsibility to rapidly scale up their content moderation efforts, and ensure that the algorithms behind their platforms are not fuelling advocacy of tribal or ethnic hatred.”
