Federal government has no plans to muzzle the media, according to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture.
Mohammed said this in reaction to controversies that have trailed the regulatory directives this government has churned out.
In his speech at the opening of a 2-day 2021 edition of the Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO) by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the minister said this government’s position on the regulation was in furtherance of national interest which was in line with global best practices.
Insisting that no responsible government will allow its enemies to use media as a tool to destabilise the nation, Mohammed averred the phenomenon of fake news and hate speeches which has dominated the social media space is detrimental to the nation’s peace, security and national cohesion.
The Minister maintained that the President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to ensure enabling environment for a robust media practice exists in Nigeria.
He said; “Contrary to insinuation in some quarters, this government has no plans to muzzle the media. It appreciates the media as a strategic partner in our determination to foster the socio-economic and political development of our nation”.
