FG working to regulate Social Media – Information Minister
….Decries Deepfakes Used to Discredit Public Officials
By Yahaya Idris
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed concern over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create and spread deepfake videos that depict public officials in compromising situations.
This was contained in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation., Minister acknowledged that while AI has positive potentials, it can also be exploited negatively, such as for producing misleading deepfake content that harms public trust and political stability.
This statement was made during a meeting with the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya.
The Minister emphasized the need to address these challenges as AI’s misuse poses risks to governance and public information integrity.
“We see how AI can be used both positively and negatively. You could be sitting right here, and someone could superimpose another person’s head onto your body, completely misrepresenting you.
“Every day, we see that the president will say something and somebody will twist it and say a different thing; the minister will say something and somebody will twist it and say another thing,” he said.
Idris, stated that deepfake videos have caused significant harm by damaging countless reputations and traumatizing families through false portrayals of individuals in scandalous situations.
He emphasized the serious personal and societal consequences of such misleading content.
He further stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria is actively collaborating with UNESCO to address these challenges.
Their joint efforts aim to clean up the social media space by combating the spread of harmful deepfake videos and misinformation, while simultaneously safeguarding the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
This balanced approach seeks to protect citizens from false information without stifling open communication and democratic discourse.
“As a government, we are looking at that seriously, especially how to sanitize the social media space without gagging the freedom of expression.
“Fortunately for us, the entire world is coming together to see how this menace can be fought. That’s why UNESCO is taking the lead,” he said.
He noted that UNESCO has gathered input from over 100 countries, with more than 10,000 submissions, and has also developed a comprehensive guide for digital content creators to help uphold the integrity of the online space.
The Minister, therefore, called on the NUJ to support the fight against fake news and misinformation, emphasizing the need to safeguard the credibility of the journalism profession.
“For us at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we take the issue of misinformation and fake news very seriously and we want to call on you to help us and collaborate with us towards eradicating quacks within this profession and not only that but encouraging citizen journalists and the general public to write and publish only what they know is correct,” he stated.
The Minister used the occasion to inform the NUJ about the establishment of a Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, approved for Nigeria by UNESCO.
He said the institute, the first of its kind in the world, would equip journalists, students, and the general public with the skills to critically assess and responsibly engage with information in the digital space, combat misinformation and fake news, and promote professionalism.
The Minister congratulated the NUJ on its 70th anniversary of dedicated service to the nation and reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom as a cornerstone for the growth and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.
Earlier, the NUJ President, Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya, commended President Tinubu for appointing a media professional as the Minister of Information and National Orientation and pledged to partner with the ministry to showcase the administration’s laudable achievements.
He also used the occasion to brief the Minister on the activities planned for the NUJ’s 70th anniversary celebration, during which the Minister is expected to serve as Chief Host.
