Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has asked the media not to heat up the polity.
The minister who spoke with journalists at the wedding reception of his grand-daughter on Saturday in Ilorin, Kwara capital, said the media should see the current season in the country as “the most trying season’’
He said as a megaphone to what the politicians say and do, the media should be moderate in discharging their duty.
“Don’t allow yourself to be used by anybody to further aggravate the challenges in the country,” he said.
“Don’t just see your duty as reporting hook line and sinker what politicians tell you, but be circumspect of the import and impact of what you release to the public to read.
“You should also understand that the kind of headlines you cast are what inform and educate Nigerians and non -Nigerians in and outside the country.”
The minister also urged the media to project positive image of Nigeria.
According to him, it is the responsibility of the media to let the world know that the challenges the country is facing are surmountable and are not more than what other countries are facing.
The minister also emphasised the need for the media to promote peace and cohesion.
“It is because we have a country called Nigeria that journalists can practice their profession in peace,” he said.
