Mr. Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has urged the media to protect the country, its nationhood, and its citizens in order to foster growth and true development.
Mohammed made the request yesterday at a one-day symposium on Information as a Public Good organized by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Nigerian Press Council, National Broadcasting Commission, and NATCOM UNESCO.
He urged the media to root out those who spread fake news, misinformation, and hate speech, as these activities undermine professionalism and erode public trust in the media.
The minister, who was represented by Mr. Ibidapo Okunnu, Director Production, Publication, and Documentation, reiterated that the government believes that promoting information as a public good is necessary to draw attention to the unique role of journalism in producing news as verified information in the public interest, as well as to build on the nation’s democratic achievements over the last six years.
He urged the media to be cautious in investigating the truth behind all statements and to present the facts to readers while keeping the nation’s unity and security in mind.
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He also urged the media to establish a desk to fact-check all information at their disposal before disseminating it.
Dr. Kabir Garba Tsanni, National President of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), reaffirmed the importance of information as a public good that could be used to investigate how to strengthen journalism to advance transparency in his goodwill message.
Danni advocated for media professionals to be insured due to the risks associated with their job. He also urged the government to approve special salaries for journalists, in addition to providing palliatives to media outlets in order to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Francis Nwosu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, exhorted journalists to exercise responsibility and be mindful of national security, national interest, and well-being in his remarks
