The Kano State Government has constituted an 18-member standing committee to draft policy framework that will mainstream activities of Media and general Information dissemination across media platforms in Kano.

Although, it was categorically asserted that the move does not suggest any intent to gag the press, the government insisted the push because pertinent to guide against rampant cases of disinformation in the public space.

Inaugurating the committee on Thursday, Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Umar Faruq Ibrahim pointed that the ideal is a conscious approach to governance and government activities in the state.

Citing similar approach to the establishment of state policies on agriculture, energy, economic development and other areas, the SSG maintained that policy formation relating to media and information will serve as guiding principle for governance.

Alh. Ibrahim added that not mindful of the existing national regulatory frameworks on media practices, the intending state policy was conceived to enforce the spirit of the legal implications and regulatory in Kano.

He revealed that with necessary effective policy in place practitioners will be compelled to upholding ethical journalism and reduce misinformation.

Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya emphasized the intent of the state government on the proposed policy draft is to chat a direction and setting limit between government and media practitioners to coexist.

“We are compelled to taking up this mandate to measure our boundaries as a government and to also know the boundaries of the journalism practise. There are many policies in the state which the state government, in an effort of enhancing the practises of accountability and transparency, has already put in place.

“And we feel also that information and media space is very critical and important, especially in this era of digital media. We feel obliged that we have a responsibility to have these policies in place that can help cement and strengthen the relationship between the government and the media practitioners in the state.

“And mindful of the sensitivity, the composition of the committee members drafted to develop these policies that approach all points of policy has different phases of the media practise. Academia, and the practitioners . We want to have a holistic policy that will really help to give you a place in the state and to guide our relationship, like I said, and also to guide the practise of journalism”. Waiya said.

In the term of reference, the draft policy committee are expected to examine the national policy, any national policy and other relevant documents to develop the state policy framework on international media communication. You are also expected to convene a stakeholders meeting to discuss the proposal and draft the policy framework.

The committee is to engage relevant government agencies, media practitioners and civil society organisations in the policy development process. And lastly the committee is entrusted to undertake necessary steps to achieve the said outcomes.

The Committee headed by Commissioner for Information Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya and Alhaji Mohammed Danyaro as Co-Chair, also has Alhaji Ahmad Aminu, Mohammad Garba, Malam Mukhtari Magaji, Malam Ado Saidu Warawa, Malam Salisu Ibrahim Fagge and Dr.Abubakar Shehu Minjibir members.

Other members include Dr.Halima Kamilu, Hajiya Aishatu Sule, Dr Hassan Ya’u, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Malam Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, Alhaji Bello Danmaisoro, Sani Abba Yola as Secretary as three additional persons as co-Secretaries.