President Bola Tinubu charged Nigerian editors to uphold integrity and fairness in their reportage.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said the media must continue to act as a stabilizing force in a rapidly changing information environment.
He described responsible journalism as essential to sustaining democracy and national cohesion.
The President stated that freedom secured through struggle requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise, adding that democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws but also by the integrity of public conversation.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerian press for its historical role in advancing justice and democracy, recalling how journalists endured intimidation, detention, and hardship in defence of the public good.
He, however, cautioned that the digital age has amplified misinformation, making the editorial function more critical than ever.
The President urged editors to be constructive in their criticism of government policies while maintaining fairness and accuracy.
He noted that as editors and managers of the national information space, they shape narratives, influence public understanding, and determine what becomes national focus.
President Tinunu stressed that such responsibility must be exercised with wisdom, fairness, and a strong sense of national duty.
He said disagreement must not translate into the erosion of national cohesion, emphasising that informed and constructive criticism serves the nation, while cynicism and mistrust can weaken society.
The President warned that in an age where information travels rapidly, falsehood can spread before truth is established.
President Tinubu urged editors to make verification their anchor, balance their principle, and professional judgement their guide.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforms aimed at economic stability and prosperity, saying the government remains focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
Presudent Tinubu called for collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, and the media to promote unity and nation-building, stressing that each sector has a distinct role to play in advancing Nigeria’s collective progress.
He reminded the editors that their influence extends beyond headlines and urged them to carry their responsibility with purpose, noting that the tone set in newsrooms and the courage to defend the truth will help shape the nation’s direction.
The President’s call came amid concerns over the spread of misinformation and erosion of public trust in the media.
In July, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had expressed similar concerns, warning that fake news, misinformation, and disinformation were becoming threats to Nigeria’s stability.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, at the third Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture organised by the NGE, Mohammed said social media has democratized speech but also diluted truth, noting that editorial independence is under pressure from political and corporate influences.
Similarly, Idris, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, cautioned that unchecked fake news could ignite social unrest and described the spread of falsehood as a ticking bomb that could destabilise the nation.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” brought together editors, senior journalists, and policymakers to reflect on how the media can strengthen unity amid national challenges.
