Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom, Calls for Respons »

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom while urging journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking on Thursday at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner held at the State House in Abuja, the President described a free press as an indispensable pillar of democracy but cautioned against the growing threats posed by misinformation, disinformation, fake news, deepfakes and digitally manipulated content.

Tinubu commended members of the State House Press Corps for their dedication to keeping Nigerians informed about the activities of his administration despite the demanding nature of their work.

He apologised for the delay in organising the maiden media dinner, attributing it to the hectic pace of governance and constantly changing official schedules.
The President assured journalists that his administration would continue to provide the access, resources and constitutional freedoms necessary for them to carry out their professional responsibilities.

Emphasising the importance of democratic freedoms, Tinubu described himself as a lifelong advocate of press freedom, noting that he has consistently defended the rights of journalists throughout his public life.

He, however, stressed that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly.
“Democracy rests on the pillars of freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” he said, adding that journalists must balance these rights with the responsibility of reporting accurately and in ways that promote national stability.

The President warned against the increasing spread of fake news, misinformation and deepfake technology, saying media professionals must avoid becoming channels for unverified information capable of undermining national security.

According to him, professional journalism must continue to distinguish truth from rumour and facts from speculation in an era where virtually anyone with a smartphone can publish information.

Reflecting on his long political career, Tinubu said he has become one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised public figures, particularly during election campaigns when rumours and allegations often gained traction before facts were established.

He maintained that while political opposition is a normal feature of democracy, journalists have a responsibility to verify information before publication.

The President noted that although government and the media often appear to be adversaries, both institutions remain partners in nation-building.

According to him, government exists to provide leadership and public service, while the media serves society by scrutinising those in power and holding public officials accountable.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to constitutional guarantees of press freedom under Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Tinubu also defended the Cybercrimes Act, stating that the legislation was designed to protect citizens against cyberstalking, malicious falsehoods and identity theft rather than weaken press freedom.
On the economy, the President said the administration’s ongoing reforms were beginning to yield positive results.

He cited improvements in public revenue, stronger foreign reserves, increased allocations to state governments, renewed investor confidence, growth in the oil and gas sector and improved stock market performance as evidence that the economy was moving in the right direction.

Tinubu acknowledged that challenges remain but maintained that his administration had laid a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth through tax reforms, fiscal discipline, infrastructure development and improvements in the business environment.

Addressing security, he said military operations had intensified across the country, supported by improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration and expanded regional partnerships.

According to the President, thousands of terrorists and other criminal elements have been neutralised, numerous hostages rescued and several communities reclaimed from criminal groups.

He assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to restoring peace and security across all parts of the country.

Tinubu concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between government and the media based on professionalism, mutual respect and a shared commitment to national development.

He urged journalists to prioritise truth over sensationalism, credibility over clickbait and constructive engagement over needless hostility, saying these values are essential for strengthening democracy and sustaining public trust.