President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to uphold the nation’s interest through responsible reporting, warning that sensational coverage of terrorism and insecurity could embolden criminal elements and threaten Nigeria’s democratic progress.
The President made the appeal on Thursday while hosting the inaugural State House Press Corps Dinner at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where he stressed that press freedom must be exercised with responsibility.
Addressing journalists, Tinubu cautioned media practitioners against becoming “megaphones” for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups, noting that the media has a vital role in promoting national unity while remaining committed to truth and professionalism.
“I made a commitment at my inauguration to remain faithful to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You and I must also ensure we do not undermine our country through irresponsible reporting. If we do, we may leave no safe space for ourselves,” the President said.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria’s security agencies are making significant gains in the fight against terrorism and criminality through intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
He disclosed that thousands of terrorists and criminal elements had been neutralised, several kidnapped victims rescued, and communities previously occupied by criminal groups reclaimed.
“They want us divided. They want you and me to fear one another. We will not surrender to their whims. The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation,” he stated.
The President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to freedom of speech and press freedom but stressed that constitutional rights must be exercised responsibly.
Tinubu noted that while constructive criticism remained essential in a democracy, journalists should provide adequate context to help Nigerians understand government policies and long-term national objectives.
“You must help citizens understand not only what has changed but also where we are headed,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation and fake news in the digital era, urging journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness and credibility over sensationalism.
“The media must choose facts over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait. Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame, and freedom of the press is not freedom to mislead,” he added.
Defending the Cybercrimes Act, Tinubu maintained that the legislation was designed to protect Nigerians from malicious falsehoods and digital abuse rather than suppress press freedom.
On the economy, the President said his administration’s difficult but necessary reforms were beginning to produce positive results.
He stated that Nigeria had emerged from “the dark tunnel of uncertainty,” citing improved public revenue, foreign reserves exceeding $50 billion, renewed investor confidence and fresh investments in the oil and gas sector as evidence of economic recovery.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government would remain committed to restoring peace and creating an environment where citizens could live and prosper safely.
The dinner was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, several ministers, and senior government officials.
In separate remarks, Akume, Gbajabiamila and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised Tinubu’s reform agenda, describing his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, governance and education as remarkable within its first three years.
Idris also urged journalists to exercise restraint in reporting security issues, warning against headlines that unintentionally glorify terrorists or criminal organisations.
He highlighted recent government initiatives aimed at strengthening the media sector, including the establishment of a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute and the launch of the Free TV digital broadcasting platform.
Earlier, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Emmanuel Anule, appealed to the President to make the annual dinner a permanent feature to enhance dialogue and strengthen trust between the Presidency and journalists.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development. Among those honoured were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; industrialist Aliko Dangote; businessman Tony Elumelu; Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Former Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Segun Adeniyi, received a special recognition award as the first Special Adviser to serve as presidential spokesman, while retired Reuters correspondent Felix Onuah was honoured for his distinguished service. Veteran editor Nicholas Okechukwu, the late Baba Ladan Abubakar and State House Press Corps Chairman Emmanuel Anule were also recognised for their outstanding contributions.