Information minister urges bloggers to reject fake news, embrace ethical journalism

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on bloggers, online publishers and content creators to embrace ethical journalism, fact-checking and responsible storytelling, saying their growing influence on public opinion comes with a duty to promote national development.

Speaking at the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum in Abuja on Monday, Idris said digital platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but warned that they must not be used to spread misinformation, disinformation or sensational content.

He stressed that a responsible media remains essential to the survival of democracy, noting that freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility.

“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” the minister said.

Idris said the Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism and professional standards across both traditional and digital media.

He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publishing, reject false and misleading narratives, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and foster national unity.

The minister also encouraged young Nigerians to view digital content creation not only as a source of livelihood but as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is critical to strengthening democracy and building public trust.

Highlighting government efforts to promote responsible online engagement, Idris pointed to the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), which he described as the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 institute dedicated solely to media and information literacy.