Nigerian government charges radio stations to shun fake news
By Nurudeen Akewushola on February 15, 2022The Nigerian Government has charged radio stations in the country to abstain from fake news and to ensure that only credible and factual information is aired through their mediums.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the charge in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday and signed by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi to commemorate the 2022 World Radio Day.
Mohammed said, in spite of the widespread use of social media and other mass communication platforms, radio remains one of the most trusted and accessible media in the world.
Speaking on the theme of the day: ‘Radio and Trust’, the Minister urged radio stations in the country to continue to work hard to maintain the trust of their listeners as they have unparallel connections with the grassroots.
Mohammed noted that the theme is apt and timely as the nation moves closer to another general election.
He urged all radio broadcasters to leverage the trust the listeners have in their mediums to educate and sensitize the citizenry on their roles and responsibilities in electing the right persons to serve at various levels of government.
”I am excited to note that some of the concepts to be discussed as sub-themes centre around the need to keep the medium credible, engaging and receptive to new broadcast ideas while creating better opportunities for income generation and profit,” he said.
He assured that the federal government will continue to pursue the right policies, give the required support as well as provide enabling environment for the growth and successful operation of radio stations in Nigeria.
Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against fake news and other forms of information disorder. You can shoot him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.
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