Federal Government Calls on Media and Influencers to Deny Publicity to Extremists

The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to exercise caution by denying bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this appeal during the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit held in Kano on Monday. Addressing participants at the event, which centered on the theme “Government, Citizens: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice,” Idris emphasized that the media plays a vital role in promoting national unity and resilience while preventing violent extremists from leveraging public platforms to amplify their activities.

The Minister noted that while the digital revolution has turned smartphones into broadcasting tools, it has also facilitated the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, which pose significant threats to national stability. He urged media professionals to uphold integrity and professionalism in their reporting.

Speaking at the summit, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, highlighted the importance of strengthening the dialogue between the government and the public. He urged social media influencers, who often command large audiences, to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing it and to avoid creating content that could deepen societal divisions, particularly as the nation looks toward the 2027 general elections.

As part of the summit, the government introduced the “Gani Ya Kori” initiative, a project aimed at showcasing infrastructure and development projects executed by the federal and northern state governments.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who declared the summit open, encouraged other states to adopt similar strategies for effective public communication. He pointed to his administration’s “Special Reporters Initiative,” which has deployed over 150 young people across the state to help bridge the communication gap between the government and the populace.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including journalists, digital creators, academics, and policymakers, to discuss the intersection of ethical communication, government transparency, and citizen participation.