President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to place national interest above sensational reporting, warning that irresponsible coverage could undermine the country’s security and democratic progress.
Addressing the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu said the media must resist becoming “megaphones” for terrorists and criminal groups seeking to destabilise the country.
“I made a commitment at the inauguration that I will do everything possible within my power to be consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You and I have promised one another that we must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we do. At a 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,” he said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
The President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps, declared that freedom of speech and press freedom remained fundamental to democracy.
He, however, stressed that those rights carried corresponding responsibilities, particularly at a time when Nigeria was confronting security challenges.
Tinubu acknowledged that his administration had received both praise and criticism from the media, saying he respected scrutiny and welcomed constructive journalism that provided context and helped citizens understand government policies.
“You must provide context and help citizens understand not just what has changed, but where we are headed,” he said.
He also warned against misinformation, the President said professional journalism was increasingly important in the digital era.
“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 added that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were intended to protect citizens against malicious falsehoods and other digital abuses, rather than weaken press freedom.
Defending his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said Nigeria had emerged from “the dark tunnel of uncertainty” and was beginning to reap the benefits of difficult policy decisions.
“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.
On security, the President said military operations had intensified, intelligence gathering had improved, and cooperation among security agencies had led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of hostages, and the recovery of communities previously under attack.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to secure every part of our country so that every Nigerian can live and prosper in peace,” he said.
