Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the country remains committed to empowering its youth through Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment as Nigeria joined the rest of the world in celebrating the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, which aims to raise awareness and promote the importance of MIL as a tool for empowering citizens, especially the youth, in the digital age.
“Mr. President remains committed to pursuing, supporting, and promoting MIL policies and programmes that will enhance the development and capacities of our citizens, especially the youth, in the effective use of media and information literacy,” the Minister said in an official statement on the event, which was held at the UN House in Abuja.
Idris urged all stakeholders, including media practitioners, educators, civil society organizations, private sector and international partners, to join hands with the government in promoting MIL as way to combat misinformation and disinformation.
The Minister said; “By promoting media literacy and implementing global guidelines for regulating digital platforms, we can uphold freedom of expression while holding users accountable.”
Press Release
Empowering Nigeria’s Youth: A Commitment to Media and Information Literacy-Idris
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to empowering its youth through Media and Information Literacy…
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) October 25, 2023
UNESCO is actively promoting media and information literacy, encouraging people to think critically and verify facts before accepting any information
“In this deluge of information, we need more reference points and more rational thinking,” UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, said in her official statement for this year’s Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week.
“And that is why media and information literacy is such a key skill for the education of 21st-century citizens.”
At the UN House in Abuja, Diallo Abdourahamane, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized the increasing popularity of digital networks for self- expression, knowledge acquisition, and social interaction.
He said the proliferation of these networks has created the increasing need for MIL to curb the negative impact of disinformation, hate speech and their negative impacts.
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