The Federal Government has called on Nigerian media organisations to exercise greater caution in their reporting of terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities, warning that excessive publicity often serves the interests of criminals rather than the nation.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Idris urged journalists and editors to carefully consider the implications of the stories they choose to highlight, particularly on newspaper front pages and major news platforms.
According to the minister, while journalists have a duty to report events accurately, they also have a responsibility to consider the broader national interest when deciding how such events are presented to the public.
“Yes, we have to do our work. We have to report whatever happens, but you must know that the best reporter, the best editor, is the one who knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building,” Idris said.
The minister expressed concern that some media outlets give extensive coverage to the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, sometimes making them the dominant stories of the day.
He argued that such attention can unintentionally provide criminal organisations with the publicity they seek.
“Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave, free of charge,” he stated.
According to Idris, media organisations should place greater emphasis on reporting the efforts and achievements of security agencies working to combat insecurity across the country.
He noted that many security personnel continue to make significant sacrifices in difficult conditions, yet their successes often receive less attention than attacks carried out by criminal groups.
“It saddens me when I see our front pages reporting the activities of these criminals while underplaying the achievements of our security agencies,” he added.
The minister stressed that national security is a collective responsibility that requires cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, the media and the public.
He argued that a stable and secure country remains essential not only for economic development but also for the survival of the media industry itself.
“We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” Idris said.
His comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to face security challenges in several regions, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The role of the media in reporting such incidents has long been a subject of debate, with some stakeholders arguing that extensive coverage raises public awareness, while others believe it can inadvertently spread fear and amplify the influence of criminal groups.
Supporters of the government’s position argue that responsible journalism should balance the public’s right to know with the need to avoid giving criminals undue attention.
However, advocates of press freedom maintain that journalists must continue to report security developments accurately and independently, regardless of how uncomfortable such reports may be for authorities.
The discussion is expected to continue as media professionals, security experts and policymakers seek to strike a balance between informing the public and protecting national interests.
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