We’re open to criticism, Kano govt tells media

The Kano State Government has said that it is open to constructive criticism from media professionals provided it is free from malice and distortion. The Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, stated this during a meeting with media organisation heads in the state held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information aimed to strengthen ties with the media and address industry-related issues.

Acknowledging the media’s traditional role in holding the government accountable, Dantiye said, “The government welcomes constructive criticism as long as it is not intended to misrepresent or cause harm. While we encourage criticism, it must be factual and constructive.”

Dantiye expressed concern over the decline in professional standards, noting that some young reporters were focusing on sensationalism rather than factual reporting.

To address this, he said the ministry planned to organise training sessions on conflict reporting, media ethics and the NBC code to enhance the skills of practitioners, emphasising that his role as commissioner was to support the media’s growth.

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Regarding the accessibility of government officials, Dantiye assured that cabinet members and heads of parastatals in the state had been instructed to be more responsive to media inquiries to bridge the communication gap between the government and the public.

He said, “We are the ones who run the programmes and participate in council or cabinet meetings. So, it is our responsibility to communicate effectively.”