Kenyan comedian and media personality Oga Obinna has vocalized his opposition to bloggers who he asserts spread false news for clout. In a recent social media update, Obinna complained about what he referred to as malicious intent as well as the destruction caused by fake news.
“Blogger, forget about views sought, there is MALICE. That’s called slander. You even don’t know what are cybercrimes?” he wrote, threatening that irresponsible reporting has real-world repercussions.
Obinna highlighted how some websites create fake stories just for clicks, often at the expense of celebrities and innocent individuals. He highlighted that such practices not only damage reputations they can also have a negative effect on mental well-being. “What about these female celebrities with image to protect? Their mental health? We are all human,” he wondered.
He also pointed out that fabricated news can drive people into depression and ruin careers, citing instances of bloggers tormenting celebrities just to be current. In his view, such toxic culture of seeking opinions without repercussions has gotten out of hand.
Obinna also named specific social media platforms where the trend has been rampant, adding that he and his team will be prosecuted. “We will tackle them one by one,” he threatened, urging those perpetuating falsehoods to be prosecuted under the law.
He shared the brave message at a time when cyberbullying, sensationalized news, and celebrities’ mental health are still topics of discussion in Kenya’s entertainment world. His followers flooded his post with words of encouragement, echoing his plea to practice ethical blogging.