Victor EzejaNigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for unity among the government, media, and civil society to protect the principles of freedom of expression in an era increasingly driven by digital technology.
Idris made the call on Saturday as the world marks World Press Freedom Day.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“As we commemorate this important day, let us all – government, media, and civil society – work together to protect freedom of expression while embracing technology that advances, rather than diminishes, the values we hold dear,” Idris stated.
In a statement he personally signed, the minister, while reflecting on the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” acknowledged the critical role of the media in a digital age.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding press freedom, noting that it is “a cornerstone of our 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,” he noted.
Speaking on the growing challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism and media practice, Idris said the federal government is currently developing a national policy framework on the responsible use of AI in the media space.
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“This framework will ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of ethics, press freedom, or national security,” he emphasised.
The minister stressed that in the face of challenges posed by the use of AI for misinformation, deepfakes and disinformation campaigns to sow division, media organisations must not stop at reporting, but should “take a principled stand to protect the information ecosystem from being polluted by falsehoods and manipulated content.”
He also urged media organisations to be vigilant and not allow their platforms to be hijacked by subversive elements, terrorists, anti-state actors and other groups who seek to undermine the collective peace and the sovereignty of the country.
“Granting such elements access to the public sphere without scrutiny not only endangers national security but also erodes public trust in the media,” he stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
