By Stephen Benjamin
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has referred to as for stronger media ethics, skilled accountability and safety of press freedom in efforts to curb pretend information and misinformation in Nigeria.
Idris, who was represented by Dr Suleiman Haruna, Director of Public Relation, made the decision on Wednesday in Abuja on the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) National Summit on Fake News and Excellence in Media Leadership Award 2026.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stories that the summit has the theme: “Curbing Fake News and Misinformation in the Nigeria Media Space”.
Idris stated the digital revolution had reworked info sharing, making it attainable for info to succeed in individuals throughout geographical boundaries inside seconds.
He stated that the response to misinformation ought to deal with strengthening skilled journalism, selling fact-checking and enhancing entry to credible info.
“The solution is not censorship, the government also has a responsibility to communicate promptly, openly, and accurately. The Nigerian Press Council has a critical role in promoting ethical journalism and strengthening professional accountability,” he stated.
Idris referred to as on media organisations to strengthen editorial oversight, confirm sources and proper errors promptly, whereas urging expertise firms to deal with the misuse of their platforms.
Also, the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, referred to as for a coordinated strategy to misinformation that may defend nationwide safety with out proscribing reputable journalism.
Musa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, Likita Musa, stated misinformation has turn out to be a problem to nationwide stability, safety, democratic progress and sustainable growth.
The minister famous that digital platforms may be exploited to govern public opinion, incite hostility and undermine confidence in public establishments.
He warned in opposition to treating each inaccurate report as deliberate misinformation or deciphering each criticism as an assault on nationwide safety.
“A democratic society must preserve room for honest mistakes, legitimate disagreement, investigative journalism, satire, and constructive debate,” he stated.
The Defence Minister additionally burdened the necessity to steadiness public entry to correct info with reputable safety necessities.
“Defence communication must balance the public interest in accurate information with legitimate requirements relating to operational security, the safety of personnel, and the protection of classified information,” he stated.
On synthetic intelligence, Musa stated the expertise introduced alternatives and challenges for the media trade.
“When used responsibly, these tools can strengthen journalism and expand access to reliable information,” he stated.
On his half, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, urged journalists to uphold fact and train warning within the dissemination of data, notably as Nigeria approaches the 2027 basic elections.
Sule, who was represented by Yakubu Lamai, Director-General of Strategic Communication and Event Management, stated the summit was apt in addressing the difficulty of faux information throughout this political actions.
“The cornerstone of journalism is truth. If we uphold truthfulness, if we uphold news that is anchored and based on verifiable data, news that you can substantiate from very credible sources, you will be protecting our democracy,” he stated.
Also talking, Mr Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), referred to as for stronger collaboration amongst regulators, media organisations, journalists, expertise firms and academic establishments to deal with misinformation.
He warned that the speedy circulation of verified and unverified info may undermine public confidence and democratic participation.
“Public trust can be weakened, social tensions inflamed, and informed democratic participation undermined. Innovation should strengthen editorial judgment rather than replacing it,” he stated.
Ebuebu stated regulatory measures alone couldn’t resolve the challenges created by expertise, business pursuits, viewers behaviour and gaps in media literacy.
“The legitimacy of media regulation depends not only on the standards it enforces but also on the fairness and predictability with which it exercises its power,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Malam Ali M. Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), referred to as on journalists to embrace factual, data-driven reporting and objectivity within the discharge of their duties.
Ali, who was represented by Ismail Abdulaziz, Director of Special Duties, stated the company had constantly prioritised editorial rules {and professional} requirements in its efforts to fight pretend information.
“You fight fake news with data. You fight fake news by being objective in everything you put out, and you fight fake news by standing on the platform of objectivity,” he stated.
He urged journalists to keep away from publishing unverified info just because it was circulating on social media, stressing the significance of credible sources and supporting proof.
Dr Dili Ezugha, Executive Secretary of the NPC, stated the summit would strengthen collective efforts towards curbing misinformation, selling credible journalism and recognising excellence in media management in Nigeria.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
