The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating disinformation, disinformation and bad information in Nigeria.

This, he explained, is aimed at combating the spread of false information as well as information used to harm individuals or organizations (incorrect information).

The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Friday at a one-day symposium on “New Digital Frontiers of Information, Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information” held at the National Open University. from Nigeria (SUBSTANCE) in Abuja.

The Information Minister emphasized the critical role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in equipping citizens with the skills to discern accurate from fake information.

The Guardian reports that the event was jointly organized by the International Institute of Media and Information Education, the Department of Mass Communication of NOUN, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Guidance and UNESCO.

The main aim of the symposium was to address the role of media and information literacy (MIL) in an increasingly misinformation-filled digital age.

In his speech, the minister explained that such media literacy will encourage the responsible use of mass media for the benefit of the public interest, stressing the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, decision makers and international organizations to build a well-informed population.

He said: “A well-informed society is a strong and resilient society. This symposium marks an important step towards equipping Nigerians with the knowledge and tools to verify information and counter the spread of fake news.”

He encouraged Nigerians to be patriotic and urged them to highlight the positive attributes of the country and not always the negative ones.

Idris noted that MIL is essential not only for combating disinformation, but also for promoting transparency, accountability and active civic engagement, and urged participants to consider MIL as a means of building public trust, enhancing information integrity and empowering individuals in the digital age. .

He reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu Administration to promote a media literate society and acknowledged the role of the symposium in furthering this mission.

Earlier in his remarks, NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, emphasized the vital role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in empowering individuals and fostering enlightened societies.

Prof. Peters noted that NOUN, as an open and distance learning (ODL) institution, is committed to providing accessible education and promoting digital literacy, especially at a time when misinformation is shaping public perception and opinion.

He said: “The digital age presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As we embrace these changes, it is critical that we empower every Nigerian, especially our youth, with the skills to navigate and engage responsibly with digital media.”

The VC highlighted NOUN’s dedication to promoting digital literacy through strategic partnerships and collaborative learning.

UNESCO Abuja Representative Abdoulrahmane Diallo spoke about UNESCO’s global efforts to promote media and information literacy as a tool for empowerment and democratic participation.

“At UNESCO, we believe that media and information literacy is a fundamental human right,” he said, stressing that UNESCO stands firmly with Nigeria in promoting MIL initiatives.

He added: “In the digital age, MIL encourages critical thinking, social cohesion and ultimately the protection of our democratic spaces.”

Guest speaker Mardia Umar, a media personality at EFCC Radio, shared insights into the digital disinformation landscape in Nigeria, stressing the need for vigilance, transparency and community engagement in addressing fake news that often undermines public trust in vital institutions.

Umar Sa’id: “The spread of misinformation is a threat to national development and through media literacy we can empower people to discern credible sources of information, recognize bias and protect themselves against manipulation.”

She emphasized the role of digital tools in promoting accountability and urged institutions to use these tools to improve public understanding of complex topics such as financial fraud and security.

On his part, the Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Lateef Adelakun, expressed his gratitude to all the participants, speakers and organizing partners, even as he acknowledged the importance of continued collaboration in strengthening MIL cadres in Nigeria.

Adelakun urged participants to take the knowledge gained and integrate it into their daily lives, saying: “We are all ambassadors of information literacy. Let us use the knowledge gained today to help build a media literate Nigeria.”