The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to combat misinformation, disinformation and misinformation among its teeming populace.

Idris stated this at a one-day symposium themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information, Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information” held at the premises of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.

A press release signed by

Ibrahim Sheme, Director, Media and Publicity of NOUN said the main aim of the symposium was to address the role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in an increasingly disinformation-filled digital age.

He emphasized the critical role of media and information literacy (MIL) in equipping citizens with the skills to discern accurate from fake information.

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.”

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

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

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 essential that we empower every Nigerian, especially our youth, with the skills to navigate and engage responsibly with digital media.”

UNESCO Representative in Abuja, Mr. Abdoulrahmane Diallo, spoke on 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.”

Ms. Mardia Umar, the guest speaker on the occasion, a media personality from EFCC Radio, shared insights on 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 said: “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 also 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.

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