Enhancing mutual understanding between Nigeria and India BBC World Service “Information technology is vital for a more informed society,” Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said during a visit to the British Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in London.
Mr Idris’ visit to the BBC is part of bridge-building and collaboration efforts between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and foreign and local media houses.
In a meeting with the BBC's top management, chaired by Jonathan Monro, deputy chief executive of BBC News and director of the BBC World Service, Idris emphasised the promotion of understanding as a key element in accelerating development.
“The media plays an indispensable role in crafting the right narrative, promoting understanding and accelerating development, and it is therefore essential for media houses with a global reach to deepen their understanding of the socio-political, economic and cultural characteristics of the societies they report on,” Idris said.
He also underscored the BBC’s vital role as the long-term narrator of the Nigerian political journey, saying it is important for the BBC to balance its reporting on Nigeria, highlighting the country’s progress and successes and adopting well-thought-out content that instills hope for a brighter future.
Idris said, “Nigeria has a large youth population who have extraordinary zeal to capitalise on positive opportunities despite immense challenges. In such a situation, there is a need to place greater emphasis on positive outcomes in Nigeria.”
The minister noted that the biggest challenge facing the youths in Nigeria and across the world is the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation and fake news, which according to him hinders progress and erodes trust between the government and the people. He called on the BBC to further strengthen mechanisms to tackle these challenges by working closely with its foreign partners and to ensure that the media ecosystem remains credible and responsible.
Also Read: Minister Lai Mohammed and others honour Jakande
The Minister commended the BBC for expanding its operational reach in Nigeria by providing more language options in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin, saying this has helped disseminate information and enable more Nigerians to gain employment and training.
rabiu ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
August 27, 2024
Support Premium Times' honest and credible journalism
At Premium Times, we strongly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Understanding that not everyone can afford expensive news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering carefully researched, fact-checked news that is freely accessible to all.
Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations on national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we appreciate your readership.
It's important to acknowledge that news production costs money, and we're proud that we never overpay for our news.
Would you consider supporting us with a modest monthly contribution to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news?
Contribute
Text Advertisement: Call Willy – +2348098788999
Source link
