The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerian media organizations to adopt a more patriotic and responsible approach in reporting issues related to terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities, urging them to avoid granting undue publicity to perpetrators of violence.
Speaking at a high-level engagement with media stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister emphasized that while the media plays a vital role in informing the public, it must also act with discretion and a sense of national responsibility, particularly in the face of ongoing security challenges.
“The time has come for us to collectively deny terrorists and bandits the oxygen of publicity. We must not allow them to manipulate our platforms to spread fear, misinformation, and propaganda,” Idris stated.
He noted that terrorist groups thrive on media exposure to intimidate citizens, amplify their actions, and attract recruits. By giving such groups prominence in headlines and airtime, he warned, the media may inadvertently contribute to their objectives.
The Minister urged media houses to focus on stories that promote national unity, resilience, and the successes of security agencies, rather than sensationalizing the actions of criminals.
Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to press freedom but stressed that freedom must be balanced with responsibility, especially in times of national crisis.
“We are not calling for censorship or control,” he clarified. “We are calling for conscious, ethical journalism that aligns with our collective interest in defeating terrorism and restoring peace.”
The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing strategy to strengthen government-media collaboration in national security communication and public enlightenment.
Media professionals present at the meeting acknowledged the concern, with some suggesting the development of national editorial guidelines for conflict-sensitive reporting.
As the country continues to battle insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and other security threats, the Federal Government is appealing for unity of purpose across all sectors, including the media, in the effort to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty and peace.
