The Federal Government has called for global unity in fighting the menace of fake news around the world.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the call on Tuesday when a delegation from UNESCO Feasibility Team paid him a visit in Abuja.
The Team is in Nigeria to assess the National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN) facilities for the establishment of UNESCO Category Two International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
According to Idris, the International Media and Information Literacy Institute was not just designed for the people of Nigeria but the world in general.
He said that it was an opportunity for Nigerians to show not just their expertise and professionalism but commitment to media and information literacy globally.
“In this era of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, media and information
literacy is a key driver in achieving a media free and independent society.
“Fake news, misinformation and disinformation is a global challenge, and we note the efforts that UNESCO has been making to combating that, ” he said.
He said that fake news was a very dangerous thing, adding that misinformation and disinformation could ruin societies, destroy nations and relationships across the globe.
“Every country that is desirous of having a collaboration on the global stage must ensure that it plays a key role in combating these very deadly menace.
“Fake news is more dangerous than even a gun; it travels faster than any fighter jet, it goes beyond all boundaries and it does not require any visa to go there.
“Therefore, we have to know that for us to combat this very deadly menace, the entire global community will have to come together to collectively fight it,” Idris said.
He explained that any time government attempted to address fake news, it was sometimes misconstrued and misrepresented as fighting press freedom or freedom of expression.
Idris further stressed that President Bola Tinubu takes the issue of press freedom and freedom of expression very seriously.
“Tinubu, being a beneficiary of press freedom will not in any way, form or shape attempt to stifle that.
“Indeed, he has given us marching orders to ensure that the press that is already free in Nigeria becomes even freer
“All the obstacles that appear to be there in the way of the press in discharging its responsibilities are being taken away by government gradually, ” he said.
The minister, however, acknowledged that sometimes there were some over zealous people.
“In as much as we want to have a society and democracy with press freedom, we must also have a sense of responsibility and patriotism.
“It is either you are pushing out information that helps society to grow or you are pushing out weapons that will help to destroy the society, ” he said.
The Minister further maintained that everything should be done in organised manner. adding that, it must be fashioned in a way that it delivers the right values. (NAN)
