Verify News Before Sharing, Information Minister Urges Youths

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerian youths to be cautious with the information they encounter online. 

He emphasized that verifying facts before sharing is crucial for maintaining national peace and stability.

During a recent engagement, the Minister highlighted the dangers of fake news, noting its potential to trigger communal crises and civil unrest. He warned that misinformation spreads rapidly in the digital age, often causing irreparable damage before it can be corrected.

Idris urged young people to leverage their digital skills for constructive purposes rather than spreading unverified claims. He encouraged them to use official government channels and reputable news outlets to confirm the authenticity of sensitive reports.

The Minister also noted that the Federal Government is committed to promoting media literacy across the country. He explained that educating the public on how to spot “fake news” is a key part of the national strategy to sanitize the information space.

He further appealed to social media influencers and content creators to prioritize national interest over “clicks” and “likes.”

According to him, the pursuit of viral content should never come at the expense of truth or the country’s security.

In conclusion, the Minister restated that while the government respects the right to free speech, it must be exercised with responsibility.

He believes that a well-informed youth population is the best defense against those seeking to use misinformation to destabilize Nigeria.