The Kano Government on Thursday inaugurated an 18-member media and information policy drafting committee.
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq-Ibrahim, speaking at the inauguration, said the committee would ensure the accurate dissemination of information.
He said the policy became necessary due to concerns raised by members of the public over the lack of regulation on the extent of information dissemination in the state.
Mr Faruq-Ibrahim said the decision to appoint the committee was intentional and dates back to 2023, when a more conscious approach to governance was adopted.
He added that the transition committee recommended that key sectors of society be examined to identify areas where there were no policies to guide the administration.
“Already, policies in the electricity sector, solid minerals, women and economic empowerment, and climate change have been put in place and approved by the State Executive Council. If this policy is implemented, especially now that everybody with a phone is a journalist and can disseminate information, it will go a long way in ensuring accurate information for the public,” he said.
“We have an interface with security agencies regarding non-compliance by certain government appointees and members of the public with respect to information dissemination.
“The picture they are giving us is alarming, and many members of society have expressed concern that there is no regulation on the extent of information being disseminated,” Mr Faruq-Ibrahim said.
Mr Faruq-Ibrahim expressed confidence in the calibre of the committee members and urged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their duties.
The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, said the policy was not intended to gag the media but to sanitise it.
NAN
