The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has criticised some of the social media handlers disseminating information, saying most of them are lacking in professionalism and highly unpatriotic.
Idris, who failed to list the online platforms breaching the ethics of the journalism profession, however, noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would not gag any media organisation but rather would remain committed to ensuring responsible journalism.
Idris said this on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said his principal, Mr President, is saddled with the responsibility of renewing the confidence of Nigerians in the country, hence will soon initiate a national dialogue on orientation and reorientation, with the goal of re-establishing Nigerians’ trust in their nation.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents on managing the excesses of social media, the minister said responsible journalism is the way to go.
“While the government and Mr President and all of us in that sector are committed to ensuring that there’s press freedom. That freedom, like I said, comes with responsibility. A lot of things that some of these people on social media are doing are also not very patriotic. Sometimes you say news that is not factual.
But I don’t want a situation where it will be seen that the government is trying to gag the press. I want that to be underscored. There is no attempt by the government to gag the press. We’re going to do whatever it takes that is responsible and accountable. Responsible journalism is the way to go”
