WAIYA FLAGS OFF UNESCO MEDIA LITERACY TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS AND CONTENT CREATORS
The Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has declared open a two-day intensive training workshop organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into the professional conduct of Media Managers, Senior Journalists, and Social Media Content Creators in Kano State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner emphasized the relevance of Media and Information Literacy in the editorial policies of media organizations and among social media content creators. He stressed that the training is timely and crucial in equipping media professionals with the tools to promote ethical journalism, combat misinformation, and build public trust.
He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to promote responsible media practices in Kano.
“This training is not just about developing skills; it is about fostering a culture of responsibility, accuracy, and accountability in media practice,” he said. “Media and Information Literacy must become the foundation upon which we build our media content and communications, especially in this era of unchecked information flow.”
Comrade Waiya also used the occasion to highlight the growing menace of misinformation spread by untrained social media users. He called on media professionals to take the lead in championing responsible journalism and to help distinguish between verified media practitioners and unregulated online content creators.
“Everyone now wants to go viral, even at the cost of truth and societal harmony,” he lamented. “But with proper Media and Information Literacy, we can empower journalists and content creators to be more discerning and ethical.” Waiya added.
He cited a recent incident where a government engagement was misreported and distorted by unverified platforms, resulting in widespread misinformation. “This is why we are committed to continuous training,” he noted, adding that similar workshops had already been organized for over 200 social media influencers and that more trainings are planned in collaboration with Bayero University’s Faculty of Communication.
The Commissioner assured participants that the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is ready to support all initiatives aimed at strengthening professional capacity, restoring public confidence in the media, and promoting ethical standards across platforms.
In their separate remarks during the opening ceremony, the Chairman of Media Awareness and Information for All Networks (MAIN), Professor Jide Jimoh; Kano State Coordinator of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Adamu Yahaya; and the Head of the UNESCO Abuja Office, emphasized that the workshop aims to integrate Media and Information Literacy into editorial policies to enhance the credibility of media content and empower journalists and digital communicators to better serve their societies.
Signed
Sani Abba Yola
Director Special Duties
Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs
19/05/2025
