Information Minister Mohammed Idris says ethical reporting and responsible social media use are vital to national unity and security.
The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to avoid giving bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek, stressing that responsible reporting is crucial to strengthening national security and promoting unity.
Minister of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Monday at the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit in Kano, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.
Idris said the media plays a vital role in countering violent extremism by promoting hope, resilience and national cohesion instead of amplifying the messages of criminal groups.
He noted that while the digital revolution has transformed communication and turned smartphones into powerful broadcasting tools, it has also accelerated the spread of fake news and disinformation capable of undermining public trust and threatening national unity.
According to the minister, democracy can only thrive when government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media upholds professionalism, fairness and integrity in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking at the summit, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the gathering was designed to deepen engagement between government, citizens and the media through accountability, ethical communication and responsible information sharing.
He urged social media influencers to verify information before publication and avoid content capable of fueling division, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Abdulaziz also revealed that more than 100 APC social media communicators had been trained on effectively communicating government policies and achievements. He further unveiled the Gani Ya Kori initiative, a regional project inspection tour aimed at highlighting key infrastructure and development projects executed by President Bola Tinubu and Northern state governors.
Declaring the summit open, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf encouraged other states to adopt his administration’s Special Reporters Initiative, which has deployed more than 150 young people across ministries, departments, agencies and all 44 local government areas to enhance government communication and public enlightenment.
The summit brought together journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, policymakers and communication professionals from across Northern Nigeria to discuss the theme: “Government, Citizens: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice.”