—Says freedom of expression, not freedom to defame.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday night urged Nigerian journalists to put national interest above sensational reporting, warning that irresponsible coverage could undermine the country’s security and democratic progress.
The President urged the media not to be amplifiers for those who want to divide the country and must cease to be megaphones for terrorists. and criminal groups seeking to destabilise the country.
Speaking at the inaugural Presidential Press Corps dinner, the president, who enthused that the nation’s economy has come out of a dark tunnel, advised the media to choose facts over falsehood, adding that freedom of expression does not mean freedom to defame.
He said, “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 promise 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.
He 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.
On security, the president said military operations had intensified, intelligence gathering had improved and cooperation among security agencies had led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of hostages and the recovery of communities previously under attack.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to secure every part of our country so that every Nigerian can live and prosper in peace,” he said.
President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, attended the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner together. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; and the 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.
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.
Akume highlighted major infrastructure projects and the student loan programme. At the same time, Gbajabiamila described Tinubu as a leader pursuing multiple reforms at a pace rarely seen in Nigeria, saying his work ethic and governance capacity distinguished his administration.
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 remains indispensable to democratic governance.
The minister cited recent government initiatives in the information sector, including the establishment of a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute and the launch of the Free TV digital broadcasting platform, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape.
State House Press Corps (SHPC) Chairman Dr Emmanuel Anule urged President Tinubu to institutionalise the gathering as an annual event.
Anule said the president’s presence at the dinner underscored his administration’s commitment to press freedom and the media’s role in a democracy.
“An informal, annual State House Press Corps forum would create a predictable channel for dialogue and partnership between government and the journalists who translate, scrutinise and explain policies for Nigerians and international audiences,” he said.
He said such engagement would reduce misunderstandings, build trust, and align expectations between the government and the media.
He reaffirmed the importance of a free, professional, and responsible press to Nigeria’s democracy.
Anule pledged that members of the corps would continue to report the activities of the presidency fairly, professionally and with verified fact.
The event honoured distinguished Nigerians for their leadership and contributions to national development, including the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike; industrialist Aliko Dangote; businessman Tony Elumelu; Nigeria Revenue Service Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji; Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Former Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Segun Adeniyi, received an award in recognition of being the first special adviser to serve as presidential spokesman.
Other recipients included Mr Felix Onuah, retired Reuters correspondent and the longest-serving State House correspondent; Mr Nicholas Okechukwu, honoured for distinguished service as a non-linear editor; the late Baba Ladan Abubakar, who received a posthumous award; and Dr Emmanuel Anule, who received the Outstanding State House Press Corps Chairmanship Award.
