The Federal Government has called on journalists, broadcasters and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek, warning that irresponsible reporting and the spread of misinformation could undermine national security and social cohesion.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Monday while speaking at the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit in Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.
Idris stressed that the media occupies a critical position in safeguarding democracy by promoting accurate information, national unity and public trust while refusing to amplify the activities of violent criminal groups.
“The media has an indispensable role in denying violent extremists the publicity they seek while promoting unity, resilience and hope,” the minister said.
He noted that democracy flourishes when government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly and the media carries out its constitutional responsibility with professionalism, fairness and integrity.
The minister also observed that advances in digital technology have transformed the communication landscape, making virtually every smartphone owner a potential broadcaster.
While acknowledging the opportunities created by digital platforms, Idris warned that the same technology has accelerated the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation capable of threatening national unity and eroding public confidence in government institutions.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the summit was designed to strengthen collaboration among government, the media and citizens through accountability, responsible communication and ethical journalism.
According to him, government has a responsibility to provide timely and transparent information, while citizens must engage constructively and the media should serve as the bridge between leaders and the people by promoting factual, balanced and objective reporting.
Abdulaziz also urged social media influencers, many of whom command large online audiences, to verify information before publishing it and avoid content capable of creating division, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He disclosed that more than 100 APC social media communicators had received training ahead of the summit on effectively communicating government policies, programmes and achievements.
The presidential aide also unveiled the Gani Ya Kori initiative, a regional project inspection tour designed to showcase major infrastructure and development projects executed by President Bola Tinubu and northern state governors that have received limited public attention.
Declaring the summit open, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf encouraged other states to adopt his administration’s Special Reporters Initiative, under which more than 150 young people have been deployed across ministries, departments and the state’s 44 local government areas to strengthen government communication and public enlightenment.
The summit brought together journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital content creators, academics, policymakers and communication professionals from across Northern Nigeria to discuss the theme: “Government, Citizens: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Communication.”