President Defends Press Freedom, Urges Responsible Journalism
Tinubu Describes Government-Media Tension as Essential to Democracy
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has said that constructive tension between government and the media is an essential feature of democratic governance, stressing that robust scrutiny by journalists remains critical to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
Speaking during the inaugural Presidential Dinner with members of the State House Press Corps (SHPC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President described the relationship between public officials and the press as one founded on mutual responsibility rather than hostility.
According to him, governments are expected to make decisions and explain their actions, while journalists have a constitutional responsibility to question policies, verify facts and hold leaders accountable in the public interest.
“Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy. Yes, there is tension between government and the press, but that is the nature of democracy. The government must act; the media must watch. The government must explain; the media must question when necessary. It is this healthy tension that strengthens our Republic,” Tinubu stated.
Press Freedom Must Be Exercised Responsibly
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting press freedom and freedom of expression, the President stressed that constitutional rights must always be exercised with professionalism, accuracy and responsibility.
He urged journalists to prioritise truth, fairness and national interest in their reporting, warning against misinformation, sensationalism and defamatory publications that could undermine public confidence and national stability.
Tinubu cautioned that freedom of expression should not be interpreted as a licence to spread falsehoods or damage reputations, noting that public trust in the media depends on fairness, credibility and factual reporting.
He also encouraged media organisations to choose verified facts over speculation and responsible journalism over the pursuit of online traffic.
Security Reporting Requires National Responsibility
The President expressed concern over the role of media coverage in security matters, warning that journalists should avoid becoming channels through which terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups amplify fear and propaganda.
According to him, irresponsible reporting could inadvertently strengthen criminal networks by spreading panic and undermining ongoing security operations.
Tinubu maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies have continued to make progress through coordinated military operations, intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration among relevant institutions.
He therefore appealed to journalists to report security developments in ways that support national stability without compromising professional ethics or public access to information.
Economic Reforms, Cybersecurity & Media Development
Reviewing his administration’s economic agenda, Tinubu argued that difficult policy decisions implemented over the past three years were beginning to yield measurable results.
He cited improvements in government revenue, investor confidence, foreign exchange reserves and investment inflows as indicators that the reforms were laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth despite continuing challenges.
The President also defended the Cybercrimes Act, saying the legislation was introduced to combat malicious falsehoods, identity theft and other digital crimes rather than restrict legitimate journalism.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, echoed the President’s call for ethical reporting, particularly on security matters, stressing that journalists should avoid headlines that inadvertently glorify violent criminal organisations.
He highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape, including the establishment of a UNESCO-supported Media and Information Literacy Institute and the rollout of the FreeTV digital broadcasting platform.
Earlier, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Dr. Emmanuel Anule, appealed for the Presidential Dinner to become an annual engagement between the Presidency and journalists, describing regular dialogue as essential for strengthening trust, reducing misunderstandings and promoting professional journalism.
The event attracted senior government officials, media executives and journalists, while distinguished Nigerians from public service, business and journalism were honoured for their contributions to national development.
