The Federal Government has sent a plea to media organisations over their coverage of bandits’ activities.
It has particularly urged them against prominent coverage of terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.
“Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages.
“This is what they crave, free of charge.
“It saddens me when I see our front pages reporting the activities of these criminals while underplaying the achievements of our security agencies,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said.
According to him, undue coverage of bandits’ activities inadvertently amplifies such activities and undermines national security efforts.
He spoke during a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, with the theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,”
“We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” he said, adding that a secure and peaceful nation is essential for the survival and growth of the media industry.
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Commending the media industry’s support for the country’s digital broadcasting transition, he described the recent launch of the digital switchover as a major milestone achieved through collaboration between government and stakeholders.
He further disclosed that the government is working on improved welfare packages for media professionals to enhance their productivity and well-being.
On the efforts of the administration towards the education sector, the minister said more than 1.3 million Nigerian students have benefited from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
He has worked with the Daily Times, Daily Independent, Financial Standard and Business Television to mention some.
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