President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists and media organisations to prioritise accuracy, professionalism and responsible reporting, urging them to choose “substance over sensation” and “credibility over clickbait” in the digital age.
Speaking on Thursday night at the maiden State House Media Dinner in Abuja, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom while stressing that media rights must be exercised responsibly.
Tinubu described a free press as a cornerstone of democracy, saying his administration remains committed to protecting freedom of expression and ensuring journalists have the access and resources needed to carry out their constitutional duties.
He, however, expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, deepfakes and manipulated content, warning media practitioners against becoming “willing couriers of falsehood or unverified information” capable of undermining national security.
The President acknowledged the often adversarial relationship between government and the media but said both institutions remain partners in nation-building.
“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question,” he said, adding that the tension between both sides is essential to a healthy democracy.
Reflecting on his decades in public life, Tinubu said he has been one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised politicians and recalled how speculation often overshadowed facts, particularly during election campaigns.
He urged journalists to provide context, analysis and balanced reporting rather than chase sensational headlines, adding that professional journalism should remain the standard for distinguishing truth from rumour.
Tinubu also emphasised that freedom of expression does not extend to defamation or the deliberate spread of falsehoods, noting that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were designed to protect citizens from malicious misinformation without undermining press freedom.
Reaffirming his administration’s respect for Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, the President said the government remains committed to transparency, accountability and media freedom.
He also highlighted what he described as the positive outcomes of his administration’s economic and security reforms, citing improvements in public revenue, foreign reserves, investor confidence, infrastructure development, and intensified military operations against terrorism and other criminal activities.
Tinubu concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between the government and the media, based on mutual respect, professionalism and a shared commitment to national development.
“Let us replace sensationalism with professionalism. Let us replace the pursuit of outrage with the pursuit of truth,” he said, urging journalists to continue playing their vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
