The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to media professionals to refrain from granting undue publicity to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the country.
Speaking at the seventh edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series held on Wednesday at the National Press Centre, Abuja, the Minister underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and supporting national security efforts.
โThe media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our militaryโs morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices,โ the Minister stated. โWe must deny these groups the undue publicity they crave. We must take them off the front pages and accurately report them as the criminals they are, without glorifying their acts or giving credence to their false narratives.โ
The Minister emphasized that terrorist and criminal groups often manipulate media coverage and social media platforms to spread fear, propagate disinformation, and recruit followers. In this context, he urged journalists and editors to adopt a responsible and patriotic approach to reportage by avoiding sensational headlines and refusing to serve as inadvertent amplifiers of terror propaganda. (TVC)