By Precious Mark
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on young bloggers, online content creators, and digital influencers across the country to prioritize ethical journalism, fact-based reporting, and national unity in their digital communication.
The Minister made the call on Monday during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers, and Content Developers Forum held in Abuja.
Addressing participants at the event, Idris emphasized that while digital platforms provide unprecedented opportunities for innovation and civic engagement, freedom of expression must be balanced with strict editorial responsibility.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” Idris stated, reassuring creators that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to safeguarding press freedom while fostering responsible journalism.
He urged online publishers to thoroughly verify information before dissemination, reject fake news and sensationalism, and leverage their reach to educate the public and drive national development.
Beyond financial profitability, the Minister charged digital entrepreneurs to view content creation as a strategic driver for civic awareness and democratic trust.
Highlighting government initiatives aimed at elevating digital media standards, Idris pointed to the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI)—the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated to media literacy—as a milestone step toward promoting responsible online engagement.
He urged emerging digital publishers to continuously upgrade their skills and uphold professional ethics to boost the overall credibility of Nigeria’s online media space.