The Federal Government on Monday called for stronger collaboration among the media, public institutions and international partners to tackle the growing spread of disinformation and misinformation in the country.
The government warned that false information poses a serious threat to public trust, democratic values and national stability.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call during the 2026 World Press Freedom Day commemoration held at Radio House, Abuja.
According to him, the present administration has placed emphasis on working closely with media stakeholders and global partners to promote responsible journalism and counter fake news.
“This administration has prioritised collaboration with media stakeholders and international partners to promote responsible journalism, counter disinformation and misinformation,” Idris said in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to press freedom, describing it as a fundamental constitutional right.
“The Federal Government fully recognises press freedom as a fundamental right and remains committed to fostering an environment where the media can operate freely, safely, and responsibly, in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” he said.
Idris said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had strengthened transparency and access to information through sustained media engagement, implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, and investment in public communication platforms.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s partnership with UNESCO in establishing the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja.
“This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening media and information literacy, empowering citizens to engage with information critically, and promoting responsible communication in the digital age,” the minister added.
Idrisurged journalists to remain professional and uphold ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, stressing that press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility.
“The true test of press freedom lies not in our declarations, but in our actions, how safely journalists can do their work, how truthfully information is shared, and how responsibly it is consumed,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Binyerem Ukaire, said the commemoration provided an opportunity to deepen institutional collaboration towards a responsible media space.
“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening press freedom and fostering a more informed and inclusive society,” she said.
She noted that the rise of digital platforms had increased the complexity of managing information flow and tackling misinformation.
“The expansion of digital platforms has introduced new complexities that require coordinated institutional responses, especially in addressing misinformation and strengthening public trust,” Ukaire added.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its readiness to continue working with the media, civil society organisations and international partners to strengthen the country’s information ecosystem and support democratic governance and national unity.
