UPDATES; Dino Melaye Blasts Sahara Reporters

The senate on Thursday December 3, 2015 has lashed out on all social media users especially online media houses.

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Dino Melaye

This was contained in a point of order raised by Dino Melaye representing Kogi West, aimed at online media platform Sahara Reporters.

Melaye pointed out that untrue stories were published against him and the senate, which should not be taken in a trivial manner.

He said: “While I celebrate the social media as one of the actors, this senate should not be blackmailed. The senate is a sacred hallowed chamber. The bill moved yesterday by Ibn Na’allah has been misconstrued by the same people. This senate should not be quiet about it.”

Most lawmakers who supported the motion stressed the truth in false publications being a common practice in the present age.

Senate leader, Ali Ndume, while giving his contributions, said the publications of false stories was gradually worsening in the country. He also added that the senate was a lawmaking body that should hold people responsible for their actions.

” It is not only Sahara reporters, there are other online platforms that wake up and post all sorts of things. At a point, one of the online platforms accused me of buying 400 golf cars for Boko Haram use, he added.

Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti state, who supported the motion, also expressed her disappointments. She added that she had to exit all the social media platforms because of these problems.

The senate president, Bukola Saraki, who also supported his colleagues, said: “We all are in support of freedom of speech but as a senate we should not be blackmailed. You can’t write false stories just because it is social media.”

The matter was referred to the committees on information and communication technology and judiciary, to be led by committee on ethics and privileges.