Enforce discipline in Nigeria’s social media space – Tinubu tells Information Minister

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has criticized some of the social media managers circulating information, claiming that the majority of them are unprofessional and unpatriotic.

Idris, who did not name the web platforms that violated journalistic ethics, did remark that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would not gag any media organization and would instead remain committed to guaranteeing responsible journalism.

Idris stated this following a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

He stated that his principal, Mr. President, is tasked with renewing Nigerians’ trust in the country and will soon launch a national dialogue on orientation and reorientation with the purpose of re-establishing Nigerians’ trust in their nation.

Responding to State House correspondents’ questions about how to manage the excesses of social media, the minister said responsible journalism is the way to go.

“While the government and Mr President and all of us in that sector are committed to ensuring that there’s press freedom. That freedom, like I said, comes with responsibility. A lot of things that some of these people on social media are doing are also not very patriotic. Sometimes you say news that is not factual.

“But I don’t want a situation where it will be seen that the government is trying to gag the press. I want that to be underscored. There is no attempt by the government to gag the press. We’re going to do whatever it takes that is responsible and accountable. Responsible journalism is the way to go”

Speaking further, the Minister also bemoaned the citizens lost of values and general lack of trust in their nation, saying the development was working against the dreams and aspirations of the leaders.

He emphasized that the administration of President Tinubu is actively working to reintroduce the values of discipline, patriotism, and a belief in the nation’s ideals that were instilled by the founding fathers.

Idris stressed that this will herald a fresh perspective in the roles of the Federal Ministry of Information and will place national orientation at its core.

“Mr President has given me a matching order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again, we’re coming up with national discourse on orientation or reorientation. So that Nigerians can believe in their country. You know that people don’t believe even leaders that they themselves have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to government overseas, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence, flying even in public buildings.

“We’re bringing that about; we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us so it is going to be a new Minister of Information and national orientation and national orientation is going to be at the centre of it,” the minister added.