Abuja, NIGERIA — The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for a unified front between media practitioners and state institutions to tackle the rising threats of misinformation and disinformation. The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Monday, during the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day held at Radio House, Abuja. Idris emphasized that the era of digital saturation requires collective action to safeguard public trust and ensure national cohesion.
Describing press freedom as a “fundamental right” guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the Minister reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing a safe and responsible environment for journalists. He highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja—a collaborative project with UNESCO—as a strategic milestone in empowering citizens to critically engage with digital content.
Okay News reports that the initiative is designed to act as a buffer against “manufactured drama” and fake news, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope objective of fostering an informed citizenry.
The Minister cautioned that the privilege of press freedom must be balanced with the weight of ethical responsibility, noting that the “true test” lies in how truthfully information is shared and how safely journalists can perform their duties. The event saw high-level representation from security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, represented by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, and the Director-General of the DSS, represented by M. O. Chukwuka.
