Nigerian music executive and singer D’Prince has raised concerns over the rise of cyberbullying, paid propaganda, and toxic online narratives within Nigeria’s digital media space.
Taking to his X page, the Jonzing World boss criticised some podcasts and media platforms for allegedly building their brands around controversy, online attacks, and monetised hate campaigns targeted at individuals, especially creatives.
“Cyber bullying has increasingly become a dangerous business model in Nigeria, to the extent that some podcasts and media platforms are now created primarily to monetise paid narratives, controversy, and targeted online attacks,” he wrote.
D’Prince noted that many creatives are already under intense pressure trying to maintain their careers and survive, adding that internet clout should never come before a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
“Creatives already face immense pressure simply trying to survive, sustain their careers, and continue doing what they love in order to put food on the table. No amount of internet clout is worth an artist’s mental health, dignity, or emotional wellbeing.”
The singer further condemned organised hate campaigns driven by propaganda and engagement farming, stressing that the issue is affecting different sectors beyond entertainment.
“No creative deserves coordinated hate fueled by propaganda, engagement farming, or paid online agendas and this extends beyond entertainment to every sector operating within the social media space,” he added.
Calling for greater accountability and professionalism in journalism and online media culture, D’Prince urged social media users to be more humane and mindful of the effects of cyberbullying.
“As we all continue to exercise our constitutional right to freedom of speech, we must also remember that there is a very thin line between online banter and cyber bullying.
“Let us choose empathy over cruelty, because every single person is fighting battles the world may never see.”
