The Federal Government has urged journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they crave.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call at the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, on Monday in Kano.
He said the media has an indispensable role in denying violent extremists the publicity they seek while promoting unity, resilience and hope.
He added that “democracy thrives when government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media performs its constitutional role with professionalism, fairness and integrity.”
The minister observed that the digital revolution has transformed communication, making every smartphone a broadcasting platform.
He however warned that the same technology has also increased the spread of fake news and disinformation capable of threatening 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 government has a duty to provide timely and transparent information, while citizens must engage constructively and the media should serve as the bridge between leaders and the people through factual and balanced reporting.
Abdulaziz also advised that social media influencers who command enormous audiences must use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content capable of creating division, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed that over 100 APC social media communicators were trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements.
The presidential aide also unveiled the Gani Ya Kori initiative, a regional project inspection tour aimed at showcasing landmark projects executed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Northern governors that have received little public attention.
Declaring the summit open, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged other states to emulate 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 improve government communication and public enlightenment.
The summit attracted participants from across Northern Nigeria, including journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, policymakers and communication professionals to deliberate on the theme, “Government, Citizens: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Communication.”
Ahmad Sorondinki
