The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s dedication to fostering a free, responsible, and dynamic press, while acknowledging the media’s crucial role in deepening Nigeria’s democracy and advancing national development.
Speaking in Abuja at the public unveiling of Nigeria Media Renaissance, Perspectives on Online Publishing, organised by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), the Minister commended GOCOP for its leadership in promoting ethical standards and innovation within the digital media landscape.
“The Federal Government is firmly committed to a press that is free, responsible, and vibrant, upholding the core journalistic values of truth, fairness, and accountability,” Idris said.
“We seek to collaborate with the media to elevate professional standards, boost media literacy, improve public communication, and tell the Nigerian story in ways that foster optimism and drive action.”
Reflecting on the nation’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, the Minister remarked that this milestone should prompt thoughtful introspection on the broader responsibilities of both political leadership and media institutions.
“Democracy, as we must continue to remind ourselves, is not merely the right to vote. It is a pathway to a greater end, the betterment of citizens’ lives, provision of essential services, protection of freedoms, and the development of infrastructure that enables social and economic progress,” he said.
Idris stated that it is in this context that President Bola Tinubu has introduced far-reaching reforms aimed at transforming the economy from consumption-driven to production-based, alongside strategic investments in infrastructure and improvements in social services.
“This government is committed to ensuring that democratic governance results in measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” he added.
He further stressed the pivotal role of digital media, particularly online publishers, in advancing democratic governance by influencing public opinion, holding power to account, and promoting national cohesion.
“The media, especially digital platforms like those represented here today, carry immense responsibility in safeguarding our democracy. You are custodians of information and shapers of public thought,” the Minister said.
He issued a caution over the growing threat of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, describing them not as mere errors but as serious dangers to public order, national security, and democratic stability.
“We have witnessed how a single false report can spark unrest, destabilise markets, or irreparably damage reputations within minutes,” he said.
While acknowledging that GOCOP members are not typically associated with the dissemination of false information, Idris noted that they nonetheless bear a duty to call out platforms that do, labelling such actors as agents of disruption.
To reinforce the fight against misinformation and support capacity-building in the media industry, the Minister announced that the UNESCO Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute is expected to begin operations in Abuja by November 2025.
“This initiative will place Nigeria at the forefront of global efforts in the responsible application of media and information in the digital era. I encourage GOCOP to fully engage with the MIL Institute, not only for its academic merit but also as a tool for strengthening fact-checking systems,” he stated.
The Minister also praised GOCOP for producing the publication, describing it as a deliberate step towards redefining the ethics and principles that guide journalism in the digital age.
“A renaissance implies not only innovation but also introspection. It is not just about doing new things, but about doing them better,” he concluded.
The event was attended by several high-profile figures, including former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Communication, Mr Bayo Onanuga; President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace; Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ali M. Ali; and the Director of the MacArthur Foundation for Africa, Dr Kole Shetima.