The President said that media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait.
FILES: President Bola Tinubu. Credit: X/@Dolusegun16
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to put national interest above sensational reporting.
Addressing the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, he warned that irresponsible coverage could undermine the country’s security and democratic progress.
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 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,” he was quoted as saying on Thursday in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
“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 added.
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 such rights carried corresponding responsibilities, particularly at a time when Nigeria was confronting security challenges.
President Tinubu acknowledged that his administration had faced 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.
Warning against misinformation, President Tinubu said professional journalism is increasingly important in the digital era.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait.
broadcasting platform, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape.
State House Press Corps (SHPC) Chairman, Emmanuel Anule, urged President Tinubu to institutionalise the gathering as an annual event.
He reaffirmed the importance of a free, professional, and responsible press to Nigeria’s democracy.
The event honoured distinguished Nigerians for their leadership and contributions to national development, including the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike; industrialist Aliko Dangote; businessman Tony Elumelu; Nigeria Revenue Service Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Former Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Segun Adeniyi, received an award in recognition of being the first special adviser to serve as presidential spokesman.
Other recipients included Mr Felix Onuah, retired Reuters correspondent and the longest-serving State House correspondent; Mr Nicholas Okechukwu, honoured for distinguished service as a non-linear editor; the late Baba Ladan Abubakar, who received a posthumous award; and Anule, who received the Outstanding State House Press Corps Chairmanship Award.
