Arewa Media Summit: Minister Urges Ethical, Balanced Reporting

Arewa Media Summit: Minister Urges Ethical, Balanced Reporting

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on journalists and media professionals to embrace ethical, balanced and responsible journalism.

Idris, who spoke at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano on Monday, said journalists must protect the integrity of the profession as they strive to shape public opinion, promote democracy, preserve culture, and foster national unity.

The minister said the summit with the theme, ‘Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice,’ underscores the need for collaboration among government, citizens and the media in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.

He believes that “the future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads, our farms or our industries. It will also be shaped by the quality of our ideas and the stories we tell about ourselves.”

He expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and disinformation through digital platforms, noting that professional journalism remains the strongest defence against fake news.

Kebbi State Commissioner of Information, Yakubu Ahmed BK

“Falsehood often travels faster than truth. That is why credible journalism must continue to stand for accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility,” he stated.

Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to press freedom, assuring that the government is creating an enabling environment for media practitioners to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation.

Idris tasked journalists to present a more balanced narrative of Northern Nigeria by highlighting the region’s achievements alongside its security and developmental challenges.

“Northern Nigeria is home to entrepreneurs, farmers, innovators, researchers, artists and young people making remarkable contributions to national development. These success stories deserve equal attention because they present a more accurate picture of the region,” he said.

The inaugural Arewa Media Summit was convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.

It attracted journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital content creators, academics, communication experts and policymakers from across the country.

Among those present were Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, representatives of the governors of Yobe and Kebbi states; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, as well as the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, among others.