The Federal Government has called on media organisations across the country to refrain from giving extensive prominence to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, warning that excessive coverage can unintentionally promote their activities and weaken efforts to combat insecurity.
The appeal was made on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a two-day National Security Summit held in Abuja. The event was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in partnership with the Department of State Services.
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The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” brought together journalists, security stakeholders, and communication professionals to examine how the media can contribute to national stability and security.
Idris reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to press freedom but stressed that journalists must balance their reporting responsibilities with the broader national interest when covering security matters.
“Reporting events is an essential duty of the media, but experienced journalists and editors also understand the importance of exercising discretion where national development and security are concerned,” he said.
He encouraged editors to reduce the prominence of stories centred on terrorist attacks and criminal operations, arguing that such groups often rely on media attention to amplify fear and gain relevance.
“Terrorists and criminals should not be rewarded with headline publicity. That visibility is exactly what they seek. It is disappointing when the activities of criminals dominate front pages while the achievements and sacrifices of our security personnel receive far less attention,” the minister stated.
According to Idris, maintaining peace and security is fundamental to the survival of the nation and, by extension, the media industry itself.
He urged journalists to devote more attention to highlighting the dedication and successes of security operatives who continue to put their lives at risk in defence of the country.
“We need a stable Nigeria before any institution, organisation, or profession can thrive. Preserving the nation is a responsibility we all share,” he added.
The minister noted that, alongside military operations, the government is pursuing non-military approaches aimed at tackling the underlying causes of insecurity.
Speaking on education initiatives, Idris disclosed that more than 1.3 million students have benefited from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which was established to help young Nigerians access higher education regardless of their financial circumstances.
He also revealed that efforts are underway to improve welfare packages for journalists and media practitioners as part of measures to boost their productivity and overall well-being.
The minister further commended media stakeholders for their support of Nigeria’s digital broadcasting transition, describing the recent rollout of the digital switchover programme as a significant achievement made possible through cooperation between government and industry players.
In his remarks, Alhassan Yahya, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, said the summit was organised to strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies in support of democracy, peace, and national progress.
Yahya also praised the leadership of the DSS, noting that engagement between the agency and the media has improved considerably in recent years.
He stated that there had been no recorded cases of intimidation or harassment of journalists by state security services over the past eighteen months.
Also speaking, Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, described both the media and security institutions as indispensable pillars of democratic governance.
Neliaku announced that Nigeria had won the bid to host the World Public Relations Forum in November 2026, making it the first Sub-Saharan African nation to stage the global event.
Meanwhile, Musikilu Mojeed, President of the Nigeria chapter of the International Press Institute, argued that national security and press freedom should be seen as complementary rather than conflicting objectives.
According to him, both are essential for a healthy democracy, warning that security without accountability can lead to abuse, while freedom cannot flourish in an environment of insecurity.
“Press freedom and national security are not mutually exclusive. They strengthen one another and remain vital components of democratic governance,” he said.
The summit attracted representatives from key security agencies, senior media executives, former NUJ leaders, and public relations professionals from across the country.
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