President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to prioritise national interest in their reportage and avoid amplifying terrorists and criminal groups through irresponsible coverage.
Tinubu made the call on Thursday at the inaugural State House Press Corps Dinner in Abuja, where he warned that sensational reporting could undermine national security and democratic progress.
According to a statement on Friday by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the media must not become a platform for terrorists and kidnappers seeking to spread fear and division, stressing that journalists and government should work together to protect the country’s democratic values.
“I made a commitment at the inauguration that I will do everything possible in my power to be consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You and I promise one another that we must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we do.
“At the time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralising thousands of criminal elements, and rescuing hostages, the media should not become an amplifier for those who wish to harm us.
“They want us divided. They want you and me to be afraid of one another. We will not surrender to their whims and caprices. The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation. Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy and our people,’’ Tinubu said.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to constitutional governance and called on media practitioners to exercise responsibility in reporting security issues.
While acknowledging press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy, the President said it must be balanced with accuracy, fairness and accountability. He urged journalists to provide context in their reports to help citizens better understand government policies, warning against misinformation and sensationalism in the digital age.
According to Tinubu, professional journalism should prioritise facts over falsehood, substance over sensational headlines and credibility over online traffic.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait. Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of the press is not freedom to mislead. Public trust is earned through fairness, accuracy and responsibility,” he sid.
The President also defended the Cybercrimes Act, saying it was enacted to combat malicious falsehoods and other digital abuses rather than suppress press freedom.
On the economy, Tinubu said ongoing reforms were yielding positive results, citing improved public revenue, foreign reserves exceeding 50 billion dollars, renewed investor confidence and fresh investments in the oil and gas sector.
“Our economy is stabilising. Public revenues are strengthening, foreign reserves have risen above $50 billion, investors’ confidence has returned, and the oil and gas sector is attracting fresh investments,” he said.
He also highlighted gains in the fight against insecurity, noting that intensified military operations and improved intelligence had led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of hostages and the recovery of previously troubled communities.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s determination to restore peace and security across the country.
The event witnessed the presence of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
In separate remarks, Akume, Gbajabiamila and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended Tinubu’s leadership and urged journalists to uphold professionalism and responsibility, particularly in reporting security matters.
Idris said the administration remained committed to strengthening the media sector through initiatives such as a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute and the Free TV digital broadcasting platform.
Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Emmanuel Anule, appealed to the President to institutionalise the dinner as an annual event to deepen engagement between the Presidency and journalists.
He pledged that members of the corps would continue to report the activities of the Presidency fairly, professionally and based on verified facts.
The ceremony also honoured several distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development, including Nyesom Wike, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Zacch Adedeji, Atiku Bagudu and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Others who received awards for their contributions to journalism and public service include former presidential spokesman Segun Adeniyi, retired Reuters correspondent Felix Onuah, non-linear editor Nicholas Okechukwu, the late Baba Ladan Abubakar and Emmanuel Anule.
(The Whistler)