Misinformation Is Getting Out Of Hand – Adekunle Gold Laments

Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has raised concerns over the growing rate of misinformation on social media, describing it as a serious problem that needs urgent attention.

Speaking on the One 54 Podcast, the singer recounted how an X user in May, spread fake news about his family losing their daughter, Adejare Kosoko. He explained that while he can tolerate rumours about himself, he will not accept falsehoods targeting his child.

The singer stated that he reported the matter to the authorities and followed the proper legal channels instead of taking the law into his own hands. He disclosed that the court sentenced the man to two years imprisonment or a fine.

He added that the incident sparked widespread reactions online and emphasised the need for regulation to curb the spread of unverified news.

He said:
"Somebody had put out fake news about my family losing our daughter. You know, and I can take anything. Talking about me all day, I'm cool. I signed up for this, not my daughter."

"So when I saw the news, obviously I did the right thing, reported to the authorities, and then they took it to court. The court sentenced him to, I think, two years imprisonment or he should pay a fine."

"And that was it. And the whole internet went crazy about it and all of that. I did the right thing, absolutely. I followed the right channels. I didn't even do what other people would do, you know, find the boy, beat him up and all of that. I didn't do all of that. I just went to the right channels and it was dealt with."

"It's crazy what's happening on social media now. Sometimes you see news about yourself, and even you will be wondering, like, 'Oh, did this happen?' Yeah, yeah. It's crazy, and it's almost like there has to be some regulation of some sort because so much stuff is floating out there."