Federal government has challenged media houses to stop giving undue publicity to terrorists and should be reported as criminals.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated this on Wednesday at the seventh edition of the 2025 ministerial press briefing series held in Abuja.
The Minister, who said that the media houses have a crucial role to play in supporting the military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices, called on media professionals and editors to be discerning in their reportage.
He added that media houses must deny these groups the undue publicity they crave, as they must be taken off the front pages and accurately report them as the criminals they are, without glorifying their acts or giving credence to their false narratives, stressing that they are not freedom fighters; but murderers, kidnappers, and destroyers, and they must be presented as such.
He said: “As many of you are aware, ‘Strengthening National Security for Peace and Prosperity’ is the second pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This emphasis on security underscores a fundamental truth: no nation can achieve sustainable development without peace and stability.
“The Tinubu administration has demonstrated this resolve not merely through words, but through concrete actions – including the acquisition of advanced platforms and armaments, enhanced intelligence gathering, intensive training and retraining of personnel, and strategic global partnerships.
“The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices. Our armed forces are not only respected by global allies but also feared by those who threaten our collective peace.”
