The Minister of Information and Nationals Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned that fake news, misinformation, and disinformation pose serious threats to public peace and democratic stability of the country.
He sounded this note of warning when speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the public presentation of a book Nigeria Media Renaissance – Perspectives on Online Publishing, organized by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Idris urged media owners to act responsibly in the digital age.
According to him: “Fake news is not a harmless error — it is a threat to public peace, national security, and democratic governance.”
Idris commended GOCOP for its commitment to professional standards and responsible journalism, saying its members are not known for spreading falsehoods. However, he urged them to call out platforms that engage in disinformation.
“You have a responsibility to identify and call out those who weaponize misinformation. These are not media practitioners — they are agents of destabilization,” he said.
He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to promoting a free, responsible, and vibrant press.
He said: “The federal government is committed to a free, responsible, and vibrant press that aligns with the enduring core values of journalism — truth, fairness, and accountability.
“We want to work with the media to raise standards, promote media literacy, strengthen public communication, and tell the Nigerian story in a way that inspires hope and galvanizes action.”
The minister announced that the UNESCO Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute would begin operations in Abuja by November 2025 to tackle misinformation and strengthen responsible digital media practices.
“This initiative will position Nigeria as a global leader in the responsible use of media and information in the digital era.
“To this end, I urge GOCOP to fully embrace the emerging MIL Institute for its academic and experiential values, and also use the outcomes towards enhancing fact-checking mechanisms,” he said.
Idris used the occasion to reflect on the broader role of the media in Nigeria’s democracy, especially as the country marks 26 years of uninterrupted civil rule.
“Democracy, as we must constantly remind ourselves, is not merely the right to vote. It is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end — that end being the upliftment of the living standards of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He said the Tinubu administration is taking bold steps to consolidate democratic gains by reforming the economy, investing in infrastructure, and improving access to social services.
“This administration is working assiduously to ensure that democratic governance translates into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens,” he said.
He praised GOCOP for authoring the publication presented at the event, describing it as a significant contribution to the future of digital journalism.
“A renaissance, meaning rebirth, critically suggests innovation grounded in reflection. It is not just about doing new things — it is about doing things better,” Idris said.
Dignitaries at the event included Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Communication; Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; Jibrin Baba Ndace, Director-General of Voice of Nigeria; Ali M. Ali, Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria; and Kole Shetima, Director of the MacArthur Foundation for Africa, Mr Olufemi Soneye of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, among other dignitaries.
