The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stressed the importance of digital literacy in countering misinformation and promoting responsible media usage. Speaking at the National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024 event held in Abuja on Friday, Idris highlighted the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital era.
The event, themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information,” was organized by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNESCO and the National Commission for UNESCO.
Idris acknowledged that platforms such as social media and generative AI have democratized information, enabling more voices to be heard. However, he warned that these advances also foster the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“The rise of social media, generative Artificial Intelligence, and digital platforms has empowered anyone with a laptop or Android phone to become a potential news creator, capable of reaching large audiences,” Idris noted. “However, this digital landscape also presents serious challenges with the proliferation of misinformation, whether human-generated or AI-driven.”
The minister emphasized the need for nationwide media literacy programs to help citizens identify credible sources and critically assess information.
“It is crucial to equip citizens with the tools necessary to navigate this complex information environment, especially as Artificial Intelligence makes it even more challenging. Media and Information Literacy is essential to enable individuals to critically evaluate information, discern reliable sources, and engage responsibly with media content,” he added.
Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s progress in establishing a UNESCO-certified International Media and Information Literacy Institute. This initiative fulfills a commitment made when Nigeria hosted the 2022 Global Media and Information Literacy Week Conference. The institute aims to educate Nigerians and others globally on safe media practices and digital communication.
As Nigeria prepares for a UNESCO readiness assessment, Idris expressed confidence in the country’s compliance and future contributions to global media literacy.
The minister called on media professionals, educators, content creators, and young people to adopt responsible media practices. He stressed the importance of maintaining ethical standards to ensure the spread of accurate and transparent public interest information.
“We must work together to create an environment where responsible media engagement thrives,” Idris concluded.
