The Federal Government has issued a strong appeal to media organisations across the country to deny front-page visibility to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, warning that excessive publicity inadvertently aids their agenda and compromises national security.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the charge on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during a two-day National Security Summit held in Abuja.
The high-level conference was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS).
Prioritising national interest in newsrooms
Addressing editors and media executives, Idris emphasised that while reporting events remains the core duty of journalism, media professionals must balance the public’s right to know with the broader implications for nation-building.
The Minister voiced concern that sensational headlines often fulfil the exact media visibility goals sought by armed cartels, while the strategic victories of national troops are pushed to the background.
“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.
Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave, free of charge.
It saddens me when I see our front pages reporting the activities of these criminals while underplaying the achievements of our security agencies.”
Media viability tied to national peace
The Minister noted that the survival and financial growth of the domestic press are inherently tied to a stable, peaceful, and secure environment. He called for a deliberate shift in narrative, urging media practitioners to consistently highlight the sacrifices and successful operations of security forces risking their lives on the frontlines.
“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 added.
The summit highlighted the critical need for deeper operational synergy between intelligence agencies and the press, ensuring that national security strategies are not undermined by real-time media coverage of internal security challenges.
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