Nigerian government affirms commitment to freedom of expression

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting healthy communication and freedom of expression, rather than stifling it. He made this declaration during a visit to his office by a delegation from Google West Africa on October 12, 2023.

Minister Idris stressed the importance of providing a platform for individuals to freely express themselves. He recognized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and essential for a thriving democracy. However, he also highlighted the significant responsibility that accompanies this freedom. He underlined that free expression should not be exploited to create disorder or anarchy within the country.

The federal government, he affirmed, is dedicated to maintaining an environment where everyone can exercise their right to freedom of expression and access information. While promoting freedom of expression, the government acknowledges the need for responsible dissemination of information. Idris expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that information and platforms are used in a way that benefits society, rather than causing harm.

In the minister’s words, “We will partner with Google in promoting the free flow of information because democracy cannot survive without freedom of expression.” He commended Google for its ongoing efforts and engagement in the fight against misinformation and fake news. The Ministry will continue its collaboration with organizations like Google to address the issue of fake news effectively.

The leader of the Google West Africa delegation, Mr. Olumide Balogun, shared details about Google’s initiatives in Nigeria, including the training of over 3,500 journalists in news verification tools and digital resources for managing misinformation. He explained that Google supports news organizations worldwide, including Nigeria, through the “Google Innovation Challenge” to enhance news organizations’ capabilities and innovate in the realm of news. One of the innovations funded by Google is “full fact,” an AI technology for fact-checking.

Google committed to further supporting the Ministry by providing training to staff in online skills, reinforcing their efforts in promoting responsible information sharing and combating fake news.