The Federal Government has called on Nigerian media organisations to refrain from giving prominent coverage to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, warning that excessive publicity helps advance their agenda and weakens national security efforts.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal at a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja on Thursday, June 18.
Idris acknowledged the media’s responsibility to report events but stressed that journalists and editors must exercise discretion in deciding what deserves prominence in the interest of national development.
According to him, criminals often seek attention through their activities, and giving them front-page exposure provides them with the publicity they desire. He expressed concern that media outlets frequently highlight the actions of criminal groups while giving less attention to the achievements and sacrifices of security agencies.
The minister also noted that national security and stability are vital for the continued existence and growth of the media industry. He urged journalists to focus more on reporting the successes of security personnel who risk their lives daily to protect the country.
He added that safeguarding Nigeria is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that a peaceful and secure nation remains essential for all institutions, including the media, to thrive.
