FG urges media to deny terrorists, bandits publicity

The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek, saying responsible media practice is critical to promoting national unity and combating violent extremism.

The Minister of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Monday 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 in Kano.

Idris said the media had an indispensable role in countering violent extremism by promoting unity, resilience and hope rather than amplifying the messages of criminal groups.

The minister said democracy flourishes when the government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media performs its constitutional responsibility with professionalism, fairness and integrity.

He noted that while the digital revolution had transformed communication by turning every smartphone into a broadcasting platform, it had also accelerated the spread of fake news and disinformation capable of undermining national unity and public confidence.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the summit was conceived to strengthen dialogue between government, citizens and the media through accountability, responsibility and ethical communication.

He said the government has a responsibility to provide timely and transparent information, while citizens should engage constructively and the media should serve as the bridge between leaders and the public through factual and balanced reporting.

He urged social media influencers to use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content capable of creating division, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdulaziz also disclosed that more than 100 APC social media communicators had been trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements.

He further unveiled the ‘Gani Ya Kori’ initiative, a regional project inspection programme designed to showcase key projects executed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and northern state governors that, according to him, have received limited public attention.

Declaring the summit open, Abba Kabir Yusuf called on other state governments to emulate Kano’s Special Reporters Initiative.

The governor said the initiative had deployed more than 150 young people to ministries, departments, agencies and the state’s 44 local government areas to strengthen government communication and public enlightenment.

The summit attracted 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 Media Practice.”

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