The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged broadcasters to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional ethics in their coverage as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. In a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris made the call……
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris , has urged broadcasters to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional ethics in their coverage as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris made the call on Monday in Bauchi in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, at the 3rd Annual National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters.
Idris said the wide reach of broadcasting places a professional responsibility on broadcasters to ensure that information presented to the public is accurate, verified and properly contextualised.
“Responsible broadcasting, however, should never be interpreted as favourable broadcasting. A professional media must continue to question government, political parties, candidates and public institutions. It must investigate, scrutinise and hold those in positions of responsibility to account,” he said.
The Minister urged broadcasters to clearly distinguish between facts, allegations, opinions and unverified claims, particularly as artificial intelligence and social media continue to make it easier for false and manipulated content to spread.
“Verification cannot be treated as an occasional newsroom procedure; it must remain at the heart of professional broadcasting,” Idris said.
He also warned broadcasters against hate speech, ethnic and religious provocation and the deliberate circulation of false information during the 2027 electoral period, while urging them to continue providing space for legitimate debate and criticism.
“Political competition is an essential part of democracy, but it must not be allowed to become a source of incitement, hate speech, ethnic or religious provocation, or the deliberate circulation of false information,” he said.
Idris further highlighted Federal Government investments in the broadcasting sector, including the Digital Switch Over platform and the modernisation of the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria.
“The future of broadcasting will be shaped by technology, but its credibility will continue to depend on people,” he said.
The Minister urged the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters and media practitioners to strengthen professional training, election reporting, verification and measures against AI-generated misinformation.
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