NOUN Hosts Symposium on Media Literacy to Combat Misinformation

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing misinformation among Nigerians, emphasizing the significance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in enabling citizens to differentiate between accurate information and falsehoods.

This commitment was expressed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a one-day symposium titled "New Digital Frontiers of Information, Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information" at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters in Abuja.

Organized in collaboration with the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, NOUN's Mass Communication Department, the Federal Ministry of Information, and UNESCO, the symposium aimed to tackle the challenges posed by misinformation in a digital landscape. Idris highlighted the necessity of media literacy in promoting responsible media usage for public benefit, advocating for cooperation between educational institutions, policymakers, and international organizations to cultivate a well-informed society.

In his opening remarks, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, underscored the crucial role of MIL in empowering individuals and nurturing enlightened communities. He stressed the importance of equipping Nigerians, especially the youth, with digital skills to navigate the complexities of media in the current digital age.

UNESCO's Abuja Representative, Mr. Abdoulrahmane Diallo, reiterated the organization's global commitment to promoting MIL as a means for empowerment and democratic participation. Guest speaker Ms. Mardia Umar, a media personality from EFCC Radio, emphasized the need for vigilance against misinformation that threatens national development, while Dr. Lateef Adelakun, Head of the Mass Communication Department, called for continued collaboration to strengthen MIL frameworks in Nigeria.