Media Sustainability Crucial To Democracy — NGE President, Eze Anaba Tells Tinubu
THE President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Eze Anaba, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to introduce fiscal and policy measures to support the survival of the Nigerian media, describing journalism as “a public good that must be protected, not punished.”
Delivering his address at the opening of the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja, Anaba said the economic and legal environment in which journalists operate had become increasingly hostile, threatening the media’s ability to perform its constitutional role as society’s watchdog.
“Without economic sustainability, our constitutional and social responsibilities become ineffectual,” Anaba warned.
He proposed a series of policy interventions, including temporary corporate tax reliefs, VAT exemptions on media inputs, tax incentives for advertisers, and the creation of a Media Development Fund to support digital innovation and newsroom transformation.
“We call for the establishment of a low-interest loan scheme through the Bank of Industry or the Development Bank of Nigeria to help media organizations upgrade equipment and create jobs,” he said.
On the legal front, Anaba demanded the repeal of laws that inhibit press freedom and urged the creation of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter, endorsed by the Presidency, Legislature, and Judiciary.
The NGE president also called for better protection of journalists from arbitrary arrests and misuse of cybercrime laws.
“When the press thrives, democracy breathes. When it is stifled, democracy suffocates,” he emphasized.
Anaba thanked President Tinubu for his remarks urging truth and responsibility in journalism, saying the Guild was committed to upholding ethical reporting, continuous professional training, and promoting national cohesion.
“We are partners in progress, not adversaries. A free, responsible, and vibrant press remains the lifeblood of democracy,” he said.
The four-day conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” continues in Abuja with panel sessions on media innovation, political accountability, and the future of journalism in the digital age.
