Information Minister: Media must avoid temptation to sacrifice accuracy for speed

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged the media to rise above sensationalism, misinformation, unsubstantiated allegations and the temptation to sacrifice accuracy for speed, for commercial advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Idris made the call at Media Trust’s corporate office in Abuja, during the launch of the company’s Converged Newsroom, on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, the minister said that the National Values Charter under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, championed by the National Orientation Agency, reinforces the importance of integrity, responsibility, patriotism, and mutual respect.

• PRP alleges plot to weaken opposition coalition ahead of 2027
• 2027: Don’t sell your votes, Islamic scholars warn Nigerians

He added that the aim is to inspire a media culture that promotes national cohesion without compromising the independence and critical scrutiny essential for journalism to thrive.

He urged the Media Trust Group to make the convergence a center of innovation, investigative excellence, and responsible storytelling.

He said the months ahead will undoubtedly witness an intensification of political activities accompanied by competing claims and counterclaims that must be subjected to rigorous fact-checking.

Idris said, “With less than 90 days to our election, we will see much of that coming into play. At moments such as this, journalism must rise above sensationalism, misinformation, unsubstantiated allegations, and the temptation to sacrifice accuracy for speed, for commercial advantage, or even for narrow parochial interests. There is a need for journalists and media players to have a deep reflection, especially at a moment like this.”

He noted that while press freedom must be protected, it is also important that the right atmosphere be created for journalists to thrive and for them to have a sustainable business.

He said, “For media organizations to function optimally and discharge their duties and responsibilities, the business models that they depend on must be sustainable in the face of challenging times, in the face of technology, and also in the face of consumer expectation. Any business model of any newspaper or any media organization that is not responsible for this will certainly face extinction.”