Information minister calls for reduced coverage of terrorists to combat fear

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, has urged media organizations in the country to refrain from providing excessive coverage to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, stressing that such publicity contributes to their goal of instilling fear.

At a security summit hosted by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Idris requested that journalists be more cautious in their reporting on security matters.

“Please remove these terrorists and criminals from your front pages, as this is what they desire without cost,” he stated.

The minister expressed concern over the disproportionate attention given to criminal activities in news reports, while the efforts of security personnel often go unnoticed.

“It saddens me deeply when I see headlines focused on the acts of these criminals, overshadowing the achievements of our security forces,” he remarked.

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Idris emphasized that his request is not for censorship but rather for responsible journalism that prioritizes national unity and security. He noted that seasoned journalists know “what to avoid reporting for the sake of national progress.”

“No one is advocating for censorship or inhibiting the media’s role; we must ensure the survival of our nation,” he maintained.

He pointed out that Nigeria is dealing with numerous security threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, misinformation, and organized crime, highlighting the necessity for collaboration between the media and security agencies.