From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that the media in Nigeria has been largely free and President Bola Tinubu and he is determined to make it even freer.
He stated this on Wednesday at the press conference heralding President Tinubu’s one year anniversary in office.
He was responding to a question on what the government was doing to counter misinformation in the country.
He acknowledged the critical role of the media in a democracy and emphasised the need for press freedom.
He however, cautioned against the spread of misinformation, labeling it as a serious threat that could lead to societal unrest.
Idris, while advocating for media freedom, underscored the importance of responsible reporting, honesty, and patriotism among journalists.
He called for a collective effort from government, media practitioners, individuals, and bloggers to combat misinformation and uphold professionalism.
The Minister acknowledged the global challenge of fake news and misinformation, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to address this issue.
Idris expressed optimism in the UNESCO standards as a potential guide for responsible journalism and ensuring a balance between freedom of expression and national interests.
Idris said: “This is really a very big issue for all of us. I have said it consistently that misinformation is actually a very big cancer that if care is not taken can lead to a breakdown of Law and Order and anarchy, in this country.
“Now recall that democracy cannot go on without press freedom. The media in Nigeria has been largely free and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to make it even freer. But like I keep saying, freedom that the media enjoys also carries with it responsibility. What that means is that while it is within the right of the media practitioners to report whatever they think they should report about, they should also have a great duty to ensure that this is being done responsibly, honestly, and with a deep sense of patriotism. Meaning that, there cannot be media freedom, or you cannot say something is free, when it is also fake, or not true.
“All purveyors of fake news, misinformation and disinformation are not within this space called media freedom or press freedom. Press freedom relates to the ability of a practitioner or anybody for that matter, to relate his story responsibly, honestly, and factually. You cannot say what is untrue, you cannot say things to malign someone deliberately, and call it press freedom or freedom of expression.
“So while government is determined to ensure that the media continues to enjoy its freedom to do its job. It is also pertinent on practitioners within this space to ensure that they also uphold the highest standards of professionalism. And, like I always say, it is us the practitioners in this space, who have the greater duty to clean up this space, by ensuring that anybody who is coming to practice within this space is also doing that responsibly. Otherwise, the media will be the greatest victim of misinformation, will be the greatest victim of fake news, disinformation and all that.
“So I agree that, yes, some people use the so called media freedom to also spread misinformation. And your question is, how do we counter that as a government? it is not just a government’s responsibility, it is responsibility for all of us, government, the media practitioners, individuals, bloggers, those that the social media space, social media has come to stay with us.
“Nobody can do anything about that the social media has come to stay. And the issue of misinformation and fake news is not just a Nigerian phenomenon. It is a problem the world over, it is not only Nigeria that’s suffering it. But we have to ensure that we come together to clean up this space so that Nigeria can breed the desired prosperity, you cannot develop in an atmosphere that is toxic in an atmosphere where someone just relates what he thinks he wants to relate. You can’t just pick up your laptop or your your handset and just say whatever you want to say, and say that you are practicing freedom of expression, that is irresponsibility.
“Whatever you say no matter how distressful it may be let it be factual, let it be honest. Let it also be verifiable. And I think that all of us will need to come to this job for government a lot to do and I’m happy that all over the world, there seems to be this problem, you know, by the various regulatory agencies trying to figure out how best to deal with this menace called values of this information.
“The UNESCO standard that is being unveiled now will hopefully provide that blueprint for all of us to operate with, so that nobody seen to be gagged, nobody’s view appears to be stifled. The media will continue to enjoy his freedom, but will also ensure that whatever we do is in the best interest of our country. And remember, we have this country to keep, we must report responsibly and patriotically for all of us to continue to live in this country in a way and manner that we all desire. this is my answer to this, what that gives it is not just for government to do it is for all of us to come together and pursue so that we will have a better society.”