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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has highlighted the importance of digital literacy in fighting misinformation and promoting responsible media practices across Nigeria.
Speaking at the National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024 celebration in Abuja on Friday, Idris underscored that in today’s digital age, educating citizens on media and information literacy is essential.
The event, themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information,” was hosted by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria, in partnership with UNESCO and the National Commission for UNESCO.
Idris highlighted how digital advancements, particularly social media and artificial intelligence, have transformed access to information in Nigeria, empowering millions to share their perspectives.
However, he cautioned that this transformation also fuels the spread of misinformation.
“With the rise of social media, generative AI, and digital content platforms, information has been democratized. Anyone with a smartphone can become a potential news creator, capable of reaching vast audiences,” Idris explained.
“However, this new digital landscape also brings serious challenges, especially in combating misinformation and disinformation, whether created by humans or generated by AI.”
The minister called for increased public awareness and digital literacy initiatives to equip Nigerians with the skills needed to identify credible information.
