Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has raised her voice against the disturbing trend of death rumors circulating about her colleague, Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw.
The veteran actress recently expressed her frustration over the repeated false claims of the actor’s demise, which have spread across social media platforms.
According to Edochie, these baseless rumors have resurfaced twice in recent days, with people sharing pictures of Pawpaw and falsely declaring him dead. What troubled her even more was that many fans believed these rumors, taking to the comment sections to offer condolences.
Edochie took to her Instagram on Thursday, to decry the impact of social media on public perception, particularly when it comes to the spread of misinformation.
In a lengthy post, she vented her concern that these false death reports were becoming a frequent issue, not just for Pawpaw, but for other celebrities, including herself. She recalled how a similar rumor about her own death had been falsely reported, with a picture of her from a movie set being misused to perpetuate the lie.
“This is not the first time such rumors have surfaced. A few days ago, they circulated again, with false claims that my dear colleague Pawpaw was dead. People, without verifying the news, rushed to post ‘Rest in Peace’ messages. It’s appalling,” Edochie wrote.
The actress also expressed her disappointment with the role social media plays in enabling the spread of these harmful stories. She highlighted that while social media has its advantages, it has also become a platform where falsehoods thrive.
“Social media has done more harm than good to society. It’s a double-edged sword, providing opportunities for growth and wealth, but also allowing toxic misinformation to spread like wildfire,” she added.
Edochie’s post not only reflects her concern for her colleague’s well-being but also underscores the growing issue of online misinformation, which can have damaging consequences.
As social media continues to influence public opinion, the actress urges users to exercise caution and verify news before jumping to conclusions.
“ I have said it before, and I’m saying it again: social media has literally done more harm than good to society. It has also been a constant source of enrichment for most Nigerian youths in the country, but the abuse is getting out of hand,” the actress said.
