Minister Urges Digital Literacy to Fight Fake News

..Says Content Creators to Put Nigeria First

Published

Friday, October 25, 2024 at 06:17 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

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Minister Urges Digital Literacy to Fight Fake News

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has underscored the vital importance of digital literacy in combatting misinformation and fostering responsible media consumption.


Speaking during the observance of National Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2024 in Abuja on Friday, Idris emphasized the need for a digitally literate society to counter the escalating spread of misinformation in today’s media landscape.


Themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information,” the event was organized by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria. It was supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the National Commission for UNESCO, underscoring a global commitment to promoting media literacy.


Idris highlighted how the digital era has transformed access to information, with social media, generative AI, and online platforms amplifying individual voices and democratizing the flow of information. However, he cautioned that these digital advances also present significant challenges, especially in terms of misinformation and disinformation.


“The rise of social media, generative Artificial Intelligence, and online platforms, combined with the influence of digital content creators, has expanded our access to information, allowing voices from all segments of society to reach vast audiences,” he remarked. “Yet, this same digital landscape poses serious challenges, particularly as misinformation and disinformation—whether generated by individuals or AI—can spread rapidly and widely.”


The minister called for comprehensive media literacy programmes to help citizens discern credible sources and assess information critically. He stressed that, in an era increasingly shaped by AI, it is essential for individuals to be equipped with tools to navigate complex information environments and engage with media responsibly.


“Media and Information Literacy is essential for empowering people to evaluate the information they consume critically, recognize credible sources, and participate in media responsibly,” Idris stated.


In addition to discussing immediate literacy needs, the minister shared updates on Nigeria's progress toward establishing a UNESCO-certified International Media and Information Literacy Institute.


This commitment, originally made during the 2022 Global MIL Week Conference hosted in Nigeria, aims to train both Nigerians and international audiences in digital communication and safe media practices. With a UNESCO readiness assessment for the institute forthcoming, Idris expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparedness and its potential to contribute to global media literacy standards.


Idris continued by appealing to media professionals, educators, youth, and content creators to uphold responsible media practices. He emphasized the importance of ethical standards, transparency, and accuracy in public interest information, urging all stakeholders to foster a media environment where responsible and informed engagement flourishes.


"At this juncture, let me also say that I made remarks only recently that if we want Nigeria to grow, we cannot emphasise always on the negatives. It is important that we criticize and hold government and other leaders to account because that is the role of the media and we cannot take that away. But it is also critical that in reporting, we prioritize national interest.


“I repeat, we cannot expect to grow and having people to come and invest in our country when all we push out all the time is negative. There are lots of positive information coming out of Nigeria and it is our duty to be patriotic when reporting so that Nigeria can reach its desired destination of prosperity that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu talks about,” he said.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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