President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian media organisations to uphold truth, accuracy and professional journalism standards, urging them to resist sensational reporting and the pursuit of audience numbers at the expense of credible information.
The President made the appeal on Thursday during his first presidential media dinner with State House correspondents in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu stressed that responsible journalism has become increasingly important in an era marked by misinformation, disinformation, artificial intelligence-generated content, deepfakes and fake news.
According to him, media organisations must choose factual reporting over falsehood, public trust over online popularity, and responsible journalism over sensational headlines.
He described freedom of expression and press freedom as essential pillars of democracy but noted that such freedoms come with the responsibility of ensuring that information is disseminated fairly, accurately and in a manner that promotes national unity and stability.
Tinubu reaffirmed his longstanding support for an independent media, stating that no democracy can thrive without a free and vibrant press. However, he cautioned journalists against becoming channels for the spread of unverified information capable of undermining national security and public peace.
The President noted that while government and the media may occasionally differ in their roles, both remain partners in nation-building. He said the government is responsible for formulating and implementing policies, while the media serves as a watchdog by holding leaders accountable and promoting transparency.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting press freedom in line with constitutional provisions and the Freedom of Information Act, pledging continued support for transparency and open governance.
On the economy, the President said ongoing reforms are beginning to yield positive results, citing improvements in government revenue, investor confidence, foreign reserves and activities in the capital market.
He further highlighted efforts by security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities across the country, noting that significant progress has been recorded despite existing challenges.
Tinubu concluded by urging journalists to strengthen democracy through responsible reporting, professionalism and commitment to the truth.
He called on the media to promote national development by fostering public trust, accountability and unity, rather than amplifying sensational narratives that could undermine societal progress.
Tags
Politics