FG urges media to deny terrorists publicity, promote unity

The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek.

The Federal Government has called on journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they seek, saying responsible media practice is critical to promoting national unity and combating violent extremism.

Minister of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Monday at the maiden edition of the Arewa Media Summit organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in Kano. Idris said the media had an indispensable role in countering violent extremism by promoting unity, resilience and hope rather than amplifying the messages of criminal groups.

The minister said democracy flourishes when the government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media performs its constitutional responsibility with professionalism, fairness and integrity. He noted that while the digital revolution had transformed communication by turning every smartphone into a broadcasting platform, it had also accelerated the spread of fake news and disinformation that could undermine national unity and public confidence.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the summit was conceived to strengthen dialogue among government, citizens, and the media through accountability, responsibility, and ethical communication. He said the government has a responsibility to provide timely and transparent information, while citizens should engage constructively and the media should serve as the bridge between leaders and the public through factual and balanced reporting.

He urged social media influencers to use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content that could create division, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abdulaziz also disclosed that more than 100 APC social media communicators had been trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements. He further unveiled the ‘Gani Ya Kori’ initiative, a regional project inspection programme designed to showcase key projects executed by President Tinubu and northern state governors.

This mirrors the 2015 counterterrorism strategy debate, when the military and the media clashed over the reporting of Boko Haram attacks. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a tension between the government’s desire to control the narrative and the media’s role as a watchdog.

The winners: the government, which has articulated its position. The losers: the media, which faces pressure to self-censor, and the Nigerian public, which may receive less information about security threats.

Bottom Line: The government wants the media to deny terrorists publicity. The media wants to report the news. The tension is not new. It is not going away.