The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has partnered with the Media Awareness and Information For All Network to train media executives and content creators in North-West Nigeria on Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
The two-day workshop, which took place in Kano, focused on integrating MIL into the editorial policies of traditional media organisations and social media platforms. A statement from the UN House in Abuja on Monday confirmed that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to curb misinformation and promote ethical journalism in the country.
The event brought together CEOs, senior editors, and top content creators from 25 media organisations across seven states in the region.
Declaring the workshop open, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Waiya, stressed the importance of media education. He warned against the rising number of untrained individuals posing as journalists online.
“Media education is important. Therefore, this training workshop cannot come at a better time when many people on the street are now assuming the role of a journalist, even though they do not have any experience or professional training. All they have is just a smartphone and internet access,” Waiya said.
He urged media leaders to adopt operational standards that preserve the integrity of the information they disseminate.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the UNESCO Office in Abuja, Albert Mendy, represented by Yachat Nuhu, called on media executives to champion ethical journalism. He encouraged participants to share their experiences and explore long-term strategies to embed MIL in their newsrooms.
“Your leadership in promoting ethical, inclusive, and MIL-informed journalism will not only enhance the quality of news and information but will also contribute to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic engagement,” Mendy said.
Chairman of the Media Awareness and Information For All Network, Professor Jide Jimoh, described misinformation and disinformation as threats to journalism and democracy. He encouraged participants to apply the training in their newsrooms to improve their understanding and use of MIL.
The workshop was attended by 30 senior media professionals from radio, television, print, and digital platforms across the North-West.
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