President Bola Tinubu has urged journalists across Nigeria to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their reportage, stressing that responsible journalism remains vital to the survival of democracy.
The President made the appeal on Thursday during the maiden
State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner held at the Presidential Villa in
Abuja, where he described the media as a critical institution that works
alongside government in strengthening democratic governance and national
stability.
Tinubu reiterated his long-standing support for press
freedom, assuring media practitioners that his administration remains committed
to protecting the constitutional rights of journalists and citizens to express
themselves freely.
“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,” the President said.
He, however, emphasised that freedom of expression must be
exercised with responsibility, caution and integrity.
“Journalists and citizens must not forget the imperative of
balancing rights with responsibility and the duty to report with care, accuracy
and facts,” he stated.
The President expressed concern over the increasing spread
of misinformation, disinformation and fake news, particularly with the growing
use of artificial intelligence to create misleading content.
He warned journalists against becoming channels for the
dissemination of false or unverified information capable of undermining
national security and public trust.
“Media practitioners should not be willing couriers of
falsehood or unverified information injurious to national security and the
nation,” Tinubu said.
According to him, the relationship between government and
the media should be seen as a necessary democratic partnership in which both
sides perform separate but complementary responsibilities.
“Government exists to serve the people through leadership
and policy. The media exists to watch those entrusted with power, ask difficult
questions and hold government accountable,” he said.
Tinubu maintained that media scrutiny remains essential for
transparent and accountable governance.
“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must
explain.
“The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a
certain level of tension,” he added.
The President called for improved cooperation between public
officials and journalists, urging both parties to embrace constructive
engagement rather than hostility.
“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 said.
Reflecting on the influence of social media, Tinubu said
credible journalism has become even more important in an era driven by instant
information and online engagement.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over
sensation, credibility over clickbait and the endless race for followers, likes
and viral outrage,” he stated.
He stressed that the role of professional journalists is to
separate verified information from speculation, rumours and propaganda.
“Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of
the press is not freedom to deliberately mislead. Rights come with
responsibilities,” the President said.
Tinubu also defended laws such as the Cybercrimes Act,
insisting that the legislation was designed to protect citizens and preserve
the integrity of Nigeria’s information space rather than stifle press freedom.
He referenced constitutional provisions guaranteeing both
freedom of expression and the media’s watchdog role.
“Section 39 guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom
of expression, while Section 22 places upon the media the noble responsibility
of holding government accountable,” he noted.
Speaking on the economy, the President said reforms
introduced by his administration were beginning to yield positive results.
“Our economy is stabilising. Public revenues have
strengthened significantly. Investor confidence is returning and key economic
indicators are moving in the right direction,” Tinubu said.
He also highlighted ongoing security operations across the
country, noting that security agencies had intensified efforts to combat
criminal activities and reclaim troubled communities.
“Military operations have intensified, intelligence
gathering has improved, inter-agency collaboration has strengthened and
communities previously under threat have been reclaimed,” he said.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the annual State House Media
Corps dinner would evolve into a sustained platform for strengthening
collaboration and mutual understanding between the Presidency and the media.
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