President Bola Tinubu has assured the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, of his administration’s commitment to upholding press freedom and combating misinformation.
Tinubu made this statement at the 2023 Nigeria Guild of Editors conference themed ‘Stimulating Economic Growth, Technology: Role of the Media’ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Amidst emphasizing the need for fact checking, responsible reporting, and digital literacy, President Tinubu expressed concerns about the prevalence of misinformation and false narratives, which he believes pose a threat to society and called for collective efforts to tackle this issue.
He reiterated, “Let me restate the commitment of our administration to a free and robust media without any intention to stifle press freedom. But we will expect you to operate within the framework of the ethics of journalism and to conduct your activities with utmost sense of duty, patriotism, and growth.”
Tinubu announced that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO) is working towards a sustained mass reorientation campaign to enhance unity and patriotism among Nigerians.
At the conference, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State applauded the media for contributing to justice, equity, unity, and economic development in Nigeria. He urged the media to adopt a development-oriented approach in their reportage without compromising their obligation to the nation.
Eze Anaba, the President of Nigeria Guild of Editors, emphasized the importance of balanced, accurate, factual, and fair reporting, highlighting the essentiality of fact-checking tools in fulfilling their constitutional duty under Section 22 of holding power to account and upholding human rights, the rule of law, good governance, and democratic principles.
He also called on political actors not to suppress the press, stating, “Always remember that a free press is like oxygen to a democracy. Let nothing be done to stifle the press or shrink freedom of expression and media freedom under any guise.”
