FG tasks media professionals on transparency

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has called on media practitioners across the country to abide by the code of ethics to ensure transparent, truthful and unbiased reportage.

Idris made the called at an interactive session with senior media editors and executives on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, the government under President Bola Tinubu is sensitive, adding that it has been responding to the yearning and wishes of all Nigerians.

“There is so much that the government is planning for Nigerians. There are so many things in the budget which include food security, palliatives and economy recovery.

“There is more funding for security agencies so that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed and also go about their daily business without fear.

“However, I want to tell my colleagues and friends in the media that government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that honest, credible and timely information is put out there for the benefit of Nigerians.

“That could be deduced from the appointments that Mr President has made; the aim is to avail Nigerian all the information that they require to attain development and prosperity.

“On the flip side, government is also requesting you to please report its activities, policies and programmes in the most transparent, professional and accountable manner,” Idris urged.

The Minister further explained that while it is imperative for the government to provide a free environment for all media practitioners to operate, it also requires the practitioners to do their job with high sense of responsibility.

“Please report what is accurate, and leave out, when you are in doubt. Please, don’t report what is not factual. Leave out fake news and misinformation.

“President Tinubu is a democrat and he is willing and able to provide all information that is required. Let us try to focus on those things that are important and will propel our collective development as a nation

“This is the plea I have for you and also it is what Tinubu has for all Nigerians especially professionals in the media,” Idris stressed.