President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists to place national interest above sensational reporting, warning that irresponsible coverage could undermine the country’s security and democratic gains.
Addressing the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu said the media must resist becoming “megaphones” for terrorists and criminal groups seeking to destabilise the country.
“I made a commitment at the inauguration that I will do everything possible in my power to be consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You and I promised one another that we must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we do.
“At the time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralising thousands of criminal elements, and rescuing hostages, the media should not become an amplifier for those who wish to harm us.
“They want us divided. They want you and me to be afraid of one another. We will not surrender to their whims and caprices. The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation. Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy and our people,’’ he said.
The President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps, declared that freedom of speech and press freedom remained fundamental to democracy.
He, however, stressed that those rights carried corresponding responsibilities, particularly at a time when Nigeria was confronting security challenges.
President Tinubu acknowledged that his administration had faced both praise and criticism from the media, saying he respected scrutiny and welcomed constructive journalism that provided context and helped citizens understand government policies.
“You must provide context and help citizens understand not just what has changed, but where we are headed,” he said.
Warning against misinformation, President Tinubu said professional journalism is increasingly important in the digital era.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait,” he said.
“Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of the press is not freedom to mislead. Public trust is earned through fairness, accuracy and responsibility.”
The Nigerian leader said laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were intended to protect citizens against malicious falsehoods and other digital abuses, rather than weaken press freedom.
President Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms, saying Nigeria had emerged from “the dark tunnel of uncertainty” and was beginning to reap the benefits of difficult policy decisions.
“Our economy is stabilising. Public revenues are strengthening, foreign reserves have risen above $50 billion, investors’ confidence has returned, and the oil and gas sector is attracting fresh investments,” he said.
President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, attended the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner together. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ministers of Finance, Education, Health, Agriculture, and Information also attended the event, along with the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack,
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In separate remarks, Akume, Gbajabiamila, and the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, praised President Tinubu’s leadership and reform agenda, describing the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, and governance as unprecedented in its first three years.
Idris urged journalists to exercise responsibility in reporting national security issues, calling on the media to avoid headlines that amplify terrorists and criminal groups.
He said journalism should promote national cohesion while remaining committed to truth, fairness, and professionalism, adding that a free and ethical press remained indispensable to democratic governance.
