PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday charged Nigerian editors to uphold fairness, integrity, and a deep sense of national responsibility in their reportage, urging them to use their platforms to strengthen democracy and foster national unity.
News Point Nigeria reports that speaking while declaring open the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Annual Conference at the State House, Abuja, the President emphasised that the media remains central to national development and the consolidation of democratic governance.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” attracted leading media executives, senior journalists, policymakers, and communication scholars from across the country.
Tinubu commended the long-standing contributions of the Nigerian press to the country’s political evolution, describing journalism as “an instrument of national awakening” that had historically defended freedom, justice, and truth.
“From the early newspapers that challenged colonial injustice to the principled voices that kept hope alive during military dictatorship, the Nigerian press has stood at critical points in our nationhood to defend reason, dignity, and progress,” he said.
“Many journalists endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good. Their sacrifices are part of the foundation upon which our democracy rests today. We honour them not only in memory but by remaining committed to the values they upheld.”
The President, however, reminded journalists that freedom of expression must be exercised with wisdom and balance, warning that democracy can only thrive when public discourse is rooted in truth and responsibility.
“Freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise. A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,”
Tinubu declared.
He noted that as editors and managers of the national information space, the media play a decisive role in shaping narratives and public understanding.
“You influence what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted. That responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with fairness and a strong sense of national duty,” he added.
Tinubu cautioned against cynical journalism that promotes division or despair, saying while criticism is vital to democracy, it must be constructive and rooted in knowledge.
“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust can weaken the very foundations of the society we seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount,” he said.
President Tinubu also expressed concern over the increasing spread of fake news and misinformation, fueled by the unregulated nature of social media.
“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak,” he warned.
He stressed that in such an environment, the editorial role is “more important than ever,” urging editors to remain committed to the principles of verification, accuracy, and professional judgment.
“Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy, but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” the President advised.
On governance, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the nation, sustaining economic stability, and expanding opportunities for all Nigerians.
He acknowledged that ongoing reforms have been challenging but insisted they are necessary to place Nigeria’s economy on a firm, long-term foundation.
“We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment, and rebuild confidence. The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy. Still, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
He also emphasized that economic and institutional reforms alone cannot build the Nigeria of everyone’s dreams without cooperation and trust among all sectors.
“Nation-building requires cooperation, trust, and a shared understanding that our future is tied together. Government has its role, the private sector has its role, civil society has its role and the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity,” he said.
President Tinubu concluded his address with a passionate appeal to journalists to guard national values through responsible reporting and ethical leadership.
“Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair. The stories we tell ourselves as a nation influence the country we become,” Tinubu stated.
He described editors as “custodians of truth and conscience” whose work would continue to shape Nigeria’s collective destiny.
“The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose,” the President concluded.
