MINISTER of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom is critical to his vision of a prosperous Nigeria.
He stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the All Nigeria Editors Conference, stressing that no media organisation has been gagged or shut down under Tinubu’s administration.
“Central to this vision of a prosperous Nigeria is an environment where free speech and a dynamic media can thrive. I stand before you today to affirm that under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have nurtured an unprecedentedly egalitarian media ecosystem,” Idris said.
“With over 1,000 licensed radio and television stations operating across the nation, it is significant to note that not a single one has been threatened, gagged, or shut down by the government for expressing dissent.
“This is not a coincidence but a conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom,” he added.
The minister stated that Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom was being recognised globally, resulting in the county being granted the hosting rights for the International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
According to him, the prestigious event will connect Nigeria to media-literate dynamics from across the world, with his Ministry poised to leverage this platform to showcase our nation’s progress.
“We are rapidly transforming our information architecture to complement this, ensuring that we not only consume information but also lead in shaping a more literate, discerning, and ethically sound global media landscape,” the minister added.
He charged the editors who were gathered at the conference to see themselves as essential partners in national renewal.
“The government of President Tinubu has demonstrated its faith in you through its actions, not just its words. We invite you to engage, to critique constructively, and to report with the responsibility that this moment in our history demands.
“Let us work together to tell the Nigerian story with balance, with truth, and with an unyielding belief in the promise of our great nation,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu understands that vibrant, independent media is not the adversary of government, but the bedrock upon which a true and lasting democracy is built.
