FG Urges Media to Stop Giving Terrorists and Bandits Publicity

(Mohammed Idris. Photo credit; Arise News)

The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to deny b@ndits and t3rrorists the publicity they seek, while promoting ethical, factual communication as a means of strengthening national unity.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this appeal at the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, on Monday in Kano.

He stated that the media has a crucial role to play in denying violent extremists the attention they crave, while at the same time fostering unity, resilience, and hope.

He added that democracy thrives when government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media carries out its constitutional role with professionalism, fairness, and integrity.

The minister noted that the digital revolution has reshaped communication, turning every smartphone into a broadcasting tool.

He warned, however, that the same technology has also fuelled the spread of fake news and disinformation capable of threatening national unity and eroding public confidence.

Earlier at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment explained that the summit was designed to deepen dialogue between government, citizens, and the media through accountability, responsibility, and ethical communication.

He said government has a duty to provide timely and transparent information, citizens are expected to engage constructively, while the media should act as a bridge between leaders and the people through factual and balanced reporting.

He further advised that social media influencers with large followings must use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before sharing it and avoiding content that could sow division, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He disclosed that more than 100 social media communicators affiliated with the ruling party had been trained ahead of the summit on effectively communicating government policies and achievements.

The presidential aide also unveiled a new regional project inspection tour initiative aimed at highlighting landmark projects executed by the President and Northern governors that have received limited public attention.

Declaring the summit open, the Kano State Governor urged other states to replicate his Special Reporters Initiative, under which more than 150 young people have been deployed across ministries and the state’s 44 local government areas to strengthen government communication and public enlightenment.

The summit drew participants from across Northern Nigeria, including journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, policymakers, and communication professionals, who deliberated on the theme centred on accountability, responsibility, and ethical communication between government and citizens.