President Bola Tinubu has called on journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in their reportage, describing the media as an indispensable partner in nation-building and the sustenance of democracy.
Speaking on Thursday at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting press freedom and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Declaring himself a firm supporter of a free press, the president said he had consistently defended media rights throughout his public career and would continue to do so.
“I am an apostle of a free press. I have defended and advocated for the rights of the media throughout my public life and will continue to do so,” he said.
Tinubu, however, stressed that press freedom must be exercised responsibly, urging journalists to ensure their reports are guided by facts, accuracy and fairness.
He noted that both journalists and citizens have a duty to balance their rights with responsibility, warning against the dangers of misinformation, disinformation, fake news and artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes.
According to him, media professionals should avoid becoming channels for falsehood or unverified information capable of undermining national security.
The president described the relationship between government and the media as one built on partnership and healthy democratic competition.
He explained that while government is responsible for providing leadership and implementing policies, the media has the constitutional duty of scrutinising those in authority, asking difficult questions and holding public officials accountable.
Tinubu said the natural tension between both institutions is essential for a healthy democracy.
“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a certain level of tension,” he said.
He called for stronger mutual respect and constructive engagement between government and the media in the overall interest of the country.
“Let us replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Let us replace sensationalism with professionalism and the pursuit of outrage with the pursuit of truth,” he urged.
The president observed that the rise of social media and the rapid spread of information have made professional journalism even more important.
He urged media practitioners to prioritise facts over falsehood, substance over sensationalism, credibility over clickbait and responsible reporting over the quest for viral content.
Tinubu maintained that professional journalism remains the most reliable means of separating facts from rumours and evidence from speculation.
He added that while freedom of expression and press freedom are constitutionally guaranteed, they should not be used as a licence to defame or deliberately mislead the public.
The president also defended existing laws, including the Cybercrimes Act, saying they are intended to safeguard citizens and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem rather than suppress press freedom.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to constitutional guarantees on press freedom and access to information, Tinubu referenced Sections 39 and 22 of the Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and assign the media the responsibility of holding government accountable.
He further stated that his administration’s economic reforms are beginning to produce positive outcomes, citing improved public revenues, increasing investor confidence and favourable economic indicators.
On security, Tinubu said government had sustained a multi-pronged strategy to address insecurity, noting that military operations had intensified, intelligence gathering had improved, collaboration among security agencies had increased and several previously threatened communities had been reclaimed.
The president expressed optimism that the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner would become a lasting platform for strengthening collaboration between government and the media.
Earlier, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Anule Emmanuel, assured that members of the corps would continue to report the activities of the president professionally as his administration pursues national reforms.
The event featured the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities from different sectors and the decoration of President Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps.
Among those in attendance were ministers, state governors, members of the diplomatic corps, private sector leaders and media stakeholders.
