The Federal Government has urged journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they crave against the state.

Minister of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris made the call at the maiden edition of Arewa Media Summit organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment Abdulaziz Abdulaziz on Monday in Kano.

The Minister reminded journalists of their indispensable role of promoting unity, resilience and national integration, positing that denying violent extremists the publicity is cardinal to fighting security threats.

Although Idris believed democracy thrives when the government remains transparent, citizens participate responsibly, he asserted the constitutional responsibility of the media towards fair, balanced and accurate reporting in the society.

The Minister explained that media practice devoid of basic ethical standards of check and balance, misinformation and fake news are ingredients to violence in the society.

He observed that the digital revolution has transformed communication, making every smartphone a broadcasting platform, but warned that the same technology has also increased the spread of fake news and disinformation capable of threatening national unity and public confidence.

Earlier, the convener and Presidential aid on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the summit was conceived to strengthen dialogue between government, citizens and the media through accountability, responsibility and ethical communication.

He said the government has a duty to provide timely and transparent information, while citizens must engage constructively and the media should serve as the bridge between leaders and the people through factual and balanced reporting.

Abdulaziz advised that social media influencers who command enormous audiences must use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content capable of creating division, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He disclosed that over 100 APC social media communicators were trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements.

The presidential aide also unveiled the Gani Ya Kori initiative, a regional project inspection tour aimed at showcasing landmark projects executed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Northern governors that have received little public attention.

Declaring the summit open, Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged other states to emulate his Special Reporters Initiative, under which more than 150 young people have been deployed across ministries, departments, agencies and the state’s 44 local government areas to improve government communication and public enlightenment.

Gov. Yusuf said the summit provides an important platform for all media practitioners to exchange ideas and examine the role of the media in strengthening governance, promoting accountability, and fostering public trust.

” It is also an opportunity to reinforce collaboration between government and the citizens through responsible journalism and access to credible information, which are essential for national development.

“Let me say that a well-informed citizenry is fundamental to every democratic society, and in both estates, the media plays a vital role in educating the public, promoting transparency, and supporting national development,” Gov. Yusuf said.