Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has cautioned content creators to tone down negative rhetoric about Nigeria.

Speaking at the National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024 event in Abuja on Friday, Idris emphasized the need for reportage that prioritizes national interest.

The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). This warning comes as the federal government expresses concerns over the impact of negative rhetoric on national growth.

“At this juncture, let me also say that I made remarks only recently that if we want Nigeria to grow, we cannot always emphasize the negatives,” Idris stated. He acknowledged the crucial role of the media in holding leaders accountable, saying, “It is important that we criticize and hold government and other leaders to account because that is the role of the media and we cannot take that away.”
Idris highlighted the transformative impact of the digital revolution on information creation, sharing, and consumption. “The rise of social media, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), online platforms, and the new generation of digital content creators has democratized information flow, allowing voices from all corners of society to be heard.”

However, Idris noted that this digital landscape poses serious challenges, particularly with the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

“Literally, anyone with a laptop or an android phone has become a potential news creator, capable of reaching a large number of people… We must really work hard and think out of the box to find a creative way out of this menace.”