Government appeals to media professionals and social media personalities to withhold coverage from kidnappers and militant groups.

The Federal Government is calling on journalists and social media influencers to refrain from giving bandits and terrorists the oxygen of publicity they desperately seek, as this can inadvertently fuel their nefarious activities.

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Minister of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris, made this impassioned plea at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit, which was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, in Kano on Monday.

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According to Idris, the media has a vital role to play in denying violent extremists the publicity they crave, while simultaneously promoting unity, resilience, and hope among the citizenry, as these are essential ingredients for a harmonious and stable society.

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Idris further emphasized that democracy can only thrive when the government is transparent, citizens participate responsibly, and the media discharges its constitutional duties with professionalism, fairness, and integrity, thereby ensuring that the public is well-informed and engaged.

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The Minister also noted that the digital revolution has transformed the communication landscape, effectively turning every smartphone into a broadcasting platform, but cautioned that this same technology has also facilitated the spread of fake news and disinformation, which can potentially undermine national unity and public confidence if left unchecked.

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Prior to Idris' remarks, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, explained that the summit was conceived to foster constructive dialogue between the government, citizens, and the media, with a focus on accountability, responsibility, and ethical communication.

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Abdulaziz Abdulaziz stressed that the government has a sacred duty to provide timely and transparent information to the public, while citizens must engage constructively with the government, and the media should serve as a bridge between leaders and the people, providing factual and balanced reporting that informs and educates.

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The presidential aide also advised social media influencers, who command massive followings, to use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content that can create division, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

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Abdulaziz Abdulaziz revealed that over 100 APC social media communicators had been trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements, with a view to enhancing their skills and capacity to engage the public.

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The presidential aide also unveiled the Gani Ya Kori initiative, a regional project inspection tour designed to showcase landmark projects executed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Northern governors that have received little public attention, thereby highlighting the impact of their policies and programmes.

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Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who declared the summit open, urged other states to emulate his Special Reporters Initiative, which has deployed over 150 young people across ministries, departments, agencies, and the state's 44 local government areas to improve government communication and public enlightenment.

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The summit, which was attended by participants from across Northern Nigeria, including journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, policymakers, and communication professionals, deliberated on the theme, “Government, Citizens: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice.”