The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on media professionals in the Northern part of Nigeria to uphold ethical, balanced and responsible journalism to promote national unity and regional development.
Idris made the call on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano. He said the region’s future would be shaped not only by development projects but also by the quality of the stories told about its people and potential.
The minister said the media remained a powerful tool for shaping public opinion, preserving culture, strengthening democracy and attracting investment, stressing that professional journalism must continue to uphold accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to press freedom and urged journalists to present a balanced picture of Northern Nigeria by highlighting its achievements alongside its challenges.
Idris also highlighted key initiatives under the Tinubu administration, including investments in infrastructure, education, security and economic reforms, as well as the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) and the launch of the Digital Switch Over (FreeTV) platform to strengthen responsible journalism and broadcasting.
The summit, organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, attracted journalists, academics, communication professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders from across the country.
