Buni urges social media practitioners to use platforms responsibly

By Ahmed Isah

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has urged social media practitioners to use digital platforms responsibly to promote truth, public understanding and meaningful engagement between government and citizens.

Buni made the call on Saturday in Damaturu at the Yobe Media Summit, organised by the state Ministry of Information and Culture, with the theme: “Harnessing Digital Tools for Community Impact and Engagement.”

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, said the rapid transformation brought by internet technology had created both opportunities and responsibilities for media practitioners.

He said social media practitioners occupied an important space between government and the people and should use the platforms to communicate truthfully, explain government policies clearly and listen to citizens.

According to him, digital platforms should not merely serve as channels for government to speak, but should also provide opportunities to listen to public concerns, provide accurate information and create meaningful interaction with communities.

“Before you post, verify. Before you forward, confirm. Before you respond, understand the issue,” Buni said.

He cautioned social media practitioners against allowing the speed and convenience of digital communication to undermine objectivity, professionalism and responsibility.

Buni also urged practitioners to guard against fake news and disinformation, stressing the need for responsible content creation and effective use of digital tools.

He said communication about government programmes and projects should go beyond simply reporting events, but should explain their impact on communities and the people benefiting from them.

The governor further encouraged media practitioners to develop specialised knowledge in areas such as health, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, commerce and security to enable them to provide informed and meaningful communication to the public.

He said social media should be used to bring government closer to the people rather than create greater distance between them.

Buni also urged practitioners to engage communities through languages and communication channels they understood and trusted, while ensuring that the experiences and concerns of citizens continued to inform government.

Earlier, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, Commissioner for Information and Culture, said the summit was designed to build the capacity of young people involved in social media and mainstream journalism across the state.

Bego said the initiative followed a recommendation by the SSG after some Yobe youths participated in a media forum in Kano.

He said the state government had brought together about 400 young social media practitioners and mainstream journalists for the summit.

The commissioner announced that another edition of the summit would be organised within one month, with another set of about 400 participants drawn from across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.

Bego said the state government planned to sustain the initiative and organise at least two media summits annually.

He explained that technological advancement had significantly transformed journalism and communication, noting that practitioners could now transmit information instantly using smartphones and other digital devices.

The General Managers of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Yobe State Radio Corporation (YBC) and Yobe State Television (YTV) expressed appreciation to Buni for supporting the media sector and strengthening the capacity of practitioners in the state.

They urged participants to actively engage with the resource persons and make maximum use of the knowledge gained from the summit.

Also speaking, Mr Rajab Mohammed, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Council, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Usman Nasoro, commended Bego for his support, accessibility and commitment to carrying the media community along in matters of information dissemination and public communication.

Mohammed described the summit as a laudable initiative capable of promoting professional journalism, responsible digital communication, peace and development.

He reaffirmed the NUJ’s commitment to collaborating with the state government and other stakeholders in building a stronger, professional and digitally empowered media community.

Our Correspondent reports that resource persons at the summit included Dr Musa Usman, Sub-Dean, Faculty of Communication, University of Maiduguri; Dr Lawan Cheri, Deputy Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu; and Prof. Sherrif Almuhajir, Managing Director, Yobe Microfinance Bank.

The summit brought together social media practitioners, mainstream journalists and other communication stakeholders from across Yobe.