The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged media organisations to be vigilant and not allow their platforms to be hijacked by subversive elements, terrorists, or anti-state actors who seek to undermine national peace and sovereignty.
The minister, who made the call in a statement to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day 2025 on Saturday, stated that granting such elements access to public without scrutiny will not only endanger national security but also erode public trust in the media.
The minister emphasised the critical role of the media in shaping informed societies, particularly in the era of technology.
“At a time when AI-powered misinformation, deepfakes, and disinformation campaigns are being weaponised to exploit divisions and sow discord, the role of the media as a gatekeeper of truth becomes even more critical.
“ It is not enough to report; the media must take a principled stand to protect the information ecosystem from being polluted by falsehoods and manipulated content,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to upholding press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy.
“ A free and responsible media is the lifeblood of any democratic society – it gives citizens the power to express themselves freely and hold leaders accountable.
“In this new era, our resolve must be matched with action, through policies that promote media innovation while protecting journalists from the misuse of technology,” he said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is developing a policy framework on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the media.
“This framework will ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of ethics, press freedom, or national security,” he said.
Idris stressed that journalists must take a principled stand to protect the information ecosystem from falsehoods and manipulated content.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”