President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their reporting, stressing that press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility.
He made the call on Thursday during the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he described the media as a key democratic institution that works alongside government in strengthening governance and national stability.
Tinubu reaffirmed his support for press freedom, saying his administration remains committed to protecting the constitutional rights of journalists and citizens to express themselves freely.
“I am an apostle of a free press. I have defended and advocated for the rights of the media throughout my public life and will continue to do so,” he said.
However, the President cautioned that freedom of expression must be exercised with caution, integrity and respect for facts, warning against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.
“Journalists and citizens must not forget the imperative of balancing rights with responsibility and the duty to report with care, accuracy and facts,” he stated.
Tinubu also warned media practitioners against spreading false or unverified information that could undermine national security and public trust, saying they should not become “couriers of falsehood.”
According to him, the media and government have distinct but complementary roles in a democracy, noting that while government governs, the media holds it accountable.
“Government exists to serve the people through leadership and policy. The media exists to watch those entrusted with power, ask difficult questions and hold government accountable,” he said.
He added that healthy tension between both institutions is normal and necessary for democracy, but urged stronger cooperation based on constructive engagement rather than hostility.
The President called for a shift from sensationalism to professionalism, urging journalists to prioritise truth over clickbait and credibility over viral content.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation, credibility over clickbait,” Tinubu said.
He also defended existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Act, insisting they are meant to protect citizens and safeguard Nigeria’s information space, not to suppress press freedom.
On governance, Tinubu said ongoing economic reforms were beginning to yield results, claiming improvements in public revenue, investor confidence and key economic indicators.
He also said security operations across the country had been intensified, with improved intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation leading to the recovery of previously troubled communities.
The President expressed hope that the State House Media Corps dinner would become a regular platform for strengthening engagement between the Presidency and the media.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.