Nigerian government tasks editors on media literacy, fact-checking

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PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian editors to use media and digital literacy, responsible reportage and fact-checking to stem the spread of misinformation in the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the remark on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Uyo while declaring open the 19th Nigeria Editors Conference 2023 held at Ibom Icon Hotel, with the theme “Stimulating economic growth, technological advancement: The role of the media”.

He decried the high level of false narratives and misinformation in the country saying the trend is threatening the fabric of the Nigerian society.

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“We are faced with the proliferation of misinformation and false narratives, which threaten the fabric of our society. And it is our collective duty to combat this menace through fact-checking, responsible reporting, promoting media and digital literacy with which we can fortify our defence against the corrosive effects of false narrative,” he said.

He explained that the federal government is working to change the systemic moral decline in the country.

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He noted that the implementation of a sustained mass reorientation campaign is aimed at fostering unity, patriotism and promotion of positive values among Nigerians and called on the editors to support the campaign for moral rectitude among Nigerians.

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Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

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