Digital literacy key to combating disinformation, says minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised the critical role of digital literacy in tackling misinformation and promoting responsible media use.
Idris spoke at the celebration of National Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024, in Abuja on Friday.
The event, themed “New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information,” was organised by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the National Commission for UNESCO.
Idris highlighted the transformative impact of the digital era, where social media, generative AI, and online content creation have broadened access to information.
However, he warned that this new digital landscape also amplifies the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“The rise of social media, generative Artificial Intelligence, online platforms and the new generation of digital content creators has democratized information flow, allowing voices from all corners of society to be heard.
“Literally, anyone with a laptop or an Android phone has become a potential news creator, capable of reaching a large number of people.
“However, this digital landscape with its limitless opportunities also poses serious challenges, especially with the spread of misinformation and disinformation, whether created by humans or generated by AI,” he remarked.
The minister called for nationwide media literacy initiatives to enable citizens to discern credible sources and critically assess information.
“Therefore, it has become crucial that we empower our citizens with the tools they need to navigate this complex information environment, especially with the advent of Artificial Intelligence which will make it more complex.
“Media and Information Literacy becomes essential in empowering individuals to critically assess, the information they encounter, discern credible sources and engage responsibly with media content,” Idris noted.
The minister also noted the progress made in establishing a UNESCO-certified International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Nigeria, fulfilling a commitment made when Nigeria hosted the Global Media and Information Literacy Week Conference in 2022.
The proposed institute will focus on educating Nigerians and other global citizens in digital communication and safe media practices.
As the nation approaches a UNESCO readiness assessment for this institute, Idris expressed optimism about Nigeria’s compliance and future contributions to media literacy on a global scale.
The minister concluded by urging media professionals, educators, youth, and content creators to support responsible media practices, noting the importance of ethical standards in public interest information.
He called on all stakeholders to foster an environment where accurate, transparent, and responsible engagement thrives.
