Abuja: Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday advocated media literacy to combat the spread of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. Idris said this at the second edition of the Spokespersons Summit, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Idris urged spokespersons to embrace information and media literacy, a concept adopted by UNESCO in 2008, which combines the competencies of information literacy and media literacy. He emphasized the importance of media literacy in a world where everyone acts as a spokesperson, equipping individuals with tools to analyze and evaluate messages conveyed through various media channels. This enables informed decision-making and responsible engagement with media content.
Idris highlighted that due to a lack of media literacy, the inability to analyze and contextualize media content has led public officers and the general public to become susceptible to fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. He advocated for media literacy practices to enhance the capacity to evaluate news articles, identify biases, assess source reliability, and adapt to fact-checking and information verification mechanisms. This would enable Nigerians to distinguish between accurate reporting and misleading content, thus making informed decisions about news consumption and dissemination.
Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, also addressed the summit, stating that effective leadership communication is crucial for improving public perceptions of governmental institutions. He mentioned that the House of Representatives has taken steps to make its legislative processes more accessible to restore public trust. Tajudeen expressed potential for a stronger partnership between the NIPR and the National Assembly to launch public orientation campaigns that explain policy creation and the role of parliament, reducing negative perceptions.
Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun, urged spokespersons not to be swayed by sentiments and emotions in their duties. He encouraged them to be sociable, well-mannered, and grounded in promoting national unity and nation-building. Chief Edem Duke, Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Culture and Tourism, described spokespersons as the most endangered in the public sector and urged them to uphold integrity and professionalism.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council, NIPR, remarked that the Nigeria Spokespersons Summit (NSS) brought together stakeholders to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and acquire new skills. He announced the launch of the Nigerian Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code (SCPC), which aims to provide spokespersons with guidelines for understanding public relations core practices, building reputation, managing perceptions, and fostering mutual respect. The summit also aimed to confer fellowship of the Institute on deserving Nigerians, among other activities.