Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for responsible journalism as part of efforts to fight fake news and misinformation.
He made the call in Abuja during an interactive session with the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
“While it is imperative for the government to provide a free environment for all media people to operate, it is also incumbent on the media people to test this with the highest sense of responsibility,” the Minister stated this during the interactive session with senior media editors and executives
“This is a plea that I have for you. And this is also the plea that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for all Nigerians, especially practitioners in the media.”
The Minister’s call for responsible journalism comes at a time when the country is grappling with issues of fake news, misinformation and propaganda.
He noted the media has a crucial role to play in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions, hence the need for the media to operate with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
Reorientation Campaign
The Minister said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO), is working on implementing a sustained mass reorientation campaign that aims to foster unity, patriotism, and the promotion of positive cultural values among Nigerians.
In his words; “We will seek to collectively reorient ourselves as Nigerians, in the direction of a stronger sense of national identity and shared values.”
Idris added that the administration of President Tinubu has been taking all necessary measures to alleviate the pains being felt due to the oil subsidy removal and other reforms.
These interventions are designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium term while we wait to reap the long-term benefits of the reforms.”
Happening Now: The Honorable Minister of Information & National Orientation, @HMMohammedIdris holds meeting with Bureau Chiefs and Senior Media Editors in Abuja. pic.twitter.com/fLXx8qC6Re
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) November 6, 2023
