Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu led federal Government has issued a strong warning to content creators and social media influencers, urging them to moderate negative narratives about Nigeria.
During an event in Abuja marking the National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised the need for content creators to prioritize the nation’s interests and uphold ethical standards in their work.
Idris stated that while criticism of the government and accountability are vital roles of the media, it is equally important to highlight positive developments in Nigeria.
He argued that consistently emphasising negative aspects could deter potential investments and hinder the country’s growth.
The 2024 National Global Media and Information Literacy Week is themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information.”
He stated, “If we want Nigeria to grow, we cannot always emphasise the negatives. While it is important that we criticise and hold government and other leaders to account because that is the role of the media, it is also critical that in reporting, we prioritise national interest.
“We cannot expect the country to grow and have people come and invest when all we push out all the time is negative.
“There are lots of positive information coming out of Nigeria and it is our duty to be patriotic when reporting so that Nigeria can reach its desired destination of prosperity that Bola Ahmed Tinubu talks about,” he added.
The minister also condemned the spread of fake news on social media, labeling it an existential threat to the unity, peace, and development of the nation.
He commended UNESCO for its efforts to combat misinformation in Nigeria and announced the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in the country to aid in this fight.
UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting media information initiatives in the country.
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