Managers of Information for the All Progressives Congress, APC government at federal and state levels are demanding for strengthened legislation on media abuse and misinformation.
They have also committed to improving information dissemination, public engagement and feedbacks which is to help improve communication between the government and the people in order to build trust and reduce fake news in the media.
This was part of the recommendations made at the maiden meeting of the Forum of APC Governors, the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) with managers of information of APC controlled states across Nigeria which was held in Lagos State.
The recommendations of the meeting is contained in a communiqué signed and released to journalists by the Director General of PGF, Mr. Salihu Lukman.
Mr Lukman said the APC government identified the need to build trust with the people through effective communication and to also improve the value, quality, output, outcome, and sustainability of media interventions of governments.
The meeting also reviewed the challenges of communicating government initiatives to the public and therefore considered proposals for effective communication and better public engagement.
According to him the managers of information of APC States identified the need to create a synergy within themselves with shared content and objectives and sustained engagement with stakeholders amongst other recommendations.
“Increased commitment towards improving media and public engagement with necessary feedbacks through enhancing relationship with the populace and incorporating the necessary media plan and strategy to drive each policy and programme.
“Sustained efforts to plan and implement media engagement strategies and programmes that will be sustainable and resilient to the impacts of media attacks by the opposition and their collaborators within and outside Nigeria, and the misinformation and media abuse associated with it.
“Strengthened legislation, strategies and action plans with consequences for media abuse and misinformation.
“Concerted engagement with critical media stakeholders and practitioners to have strong and well-coordinated presence in the media space by ensuring appropriate synergy between Federal and State Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Local Governments, Development Partners, the Civil Society Partners, and the Private Sector.
“Strengthened advocacy to amplify justifications of government policies and popularise government achievements across board” the statement read.
The meeting which was hosted by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Information, Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to Vice President on Information, Mr. Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to President on Information, Mallam Garba Shehu represented by Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, Heads of Federal Agencies, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mallam Yakubu Muhammad, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mallam Mansur Liman, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, Commissioners of APC States and members of Steering Committee of PGF Media and Communication Programme.
Hauwa Mustapha
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