The US government has warned news outlets and influential people on social media not to give terrorists and bandits the attention they want.
On Monday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, made the call at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano. The summit was sponsored by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, senior special assistant to the president on media and public enlightenment.
The minister argues that the media must play an essential role in fostering national unity and countering the propaganda of violent groups.
Idris emphasised that the media plays a crucial role in rejecting the attention that violent radicals desire and in spreading messages of solidarity, perseverance, and optimism.
Additionally, he emphasised that for democracy to thrive, there must be openness and honesty from the government, responsible participation from individuals, and the media upholding its constitutional duty with competence, impartiality, and honesty.
Smartphones have made almost everyone a publisher, as the minister pointed out, and this has altered the way information is transmitted.
The same technology, he said, has also facilitated the dissemination of false information, which threatens national unity and public faith.
The summit was convened, according to Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, to enhance the conversation among the administration, public, and the media by fostering accountability, responsibility, and ethical communication.
He emphasised the importance of social media influencers using their platforms properly. He suggested that, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, they should check facts before publishing and refrain from misinformation that could cause discord.