Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has underscored the critical role that digital media, especially online publishing, plays in enhancing the democratic journey by shaping public discourse, holding leaders accountable, and promoting national unity.
The Information Minister stated this in Abuja at the public presentation of “Nigeria Media Renaissance – Perspectives on Online Publishing,” organised by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
“The media — especially the digital and online media represented here today — has a critical role to play in nurturing our democracy. You are the gatekeepers of information. You shape public discourse,” he stated.
He caution on the rising menace of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, saying they are not harmless errors but “threats to public peace, national security, and democratic governance. We have seen how a false report can ignite violence, disrupt markets, or destroy reputations in a matter of minutes,” he said.
The Minister reiterated the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to a free, responsible, and vibrant press, underscoring the media’s pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and national development.
He commended GOCOP for its leadership and foresight in championing ethical standards and innovation in the digital media space.
“The Federal Government is committed to a free, responsible, and vibrant press that aligns with the enduring core values of journalism — truth, fairness, and accountability. We want to work with the media to raise standards, promote media literacy, strengthen public communication, and tell the Nigerian story in a way that inspires hope and galvanises action,” the Minister stated.
Idris noted that as Nigeria recently marked 26 years of continuous democratic governance, it was time for sober reflection on the broader responsibilities of democratic leadership and media partnership.
“Democracy, as we must constantly remind ourselves, is not merely the right to vote. It is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end — that end being the upliftment of the living standards of the Nigerian people, the provision of social services, the guarantee of rights and freedoms, and the development of infrastructure that supports economic and human progress,” he noted.
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The Minister said it is in recognition of the deeper purpose of democracy that President Tinubu has taken bold steps to consolidate democratic gains by resetting the economy from consumption to production through sweeping reforms, investments in critical infrastructure, and the enhancement of social services.
“This administration is working assiduously to ensure that democratic governance translates into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens,” he said.
To bolster the fight against fake news and misinformation as well as support professional development in media, the Minister announced that the UNESCO Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute will commence operations in Abuja by November 2025.
“This initiative will position Nigeria as a global leader in the responsible use of media and information in the digital era. To this end, I urge GOCOP to fully embrace the emerging MIL Institute for its academic and experiential values, and also use the outcomes towards enhancing fact-checking mechanisms,” he furthered.
The Minister commended GOCOP for authoring the publication, stressing that it is a conscious effort to reset the tone, ethics, and values that underpin journalism in the digital age.
“A renaissance, meaning rebirth, critically suggests innovation, grounded in reflection. It is not just about doing new things — it is about doing things better,” he added.
The Minister who acknowledged that members of GOCOP are not known for disseminating fake news or disinformation, however emphasized that they have a responsibility to identify and call out platforms that do so by describing such actors as agents of destabilization.