Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the Nigerian media for its dedication to truth and accountability, especially in the face of foreign information manipulation and interference. Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute, Nigeria, he highlighted the media’s essential role in safeguarding democratic accountability.
Shettima noted that Nigeria boasts one of the world’s most vibrant media communities. He commended journalists for consistently defending the public’s right to know, confronting misinformation, and dispelling national confusion. He stressed that this responsibility is crucial and must not be taken for granted.
The Vice President described the media’s stance against disinformation and its refusal to succumb to foreign manipulation as a proud moment for Nigerian journalism. He distinguished the majority of journalists, who prioritize ethics and objectivity, from those who spread falsehoods and unverified data. Shettima emphasized that ethics are vital; without them, journalism becomes a dictatorship of text and airwaves where truth is distorted.
According to Shettima, the media’s sacred duty is to protect democracy by observing power with integrity and shielding institutions from excesses. He acknowledged the complex relationship between journalists and politicians but called for a friendship rooted in openness. He recognized the media’s indispensability and affirmed that it cannot be permanently suppressed in Nigeria.
Shettima pledged to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where journalists can work free from harassment or intimidation. The conference, themed “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria,” provided a platform to discuss the challenges facing the media and the importance of press freedom in a democratic society. As the government navigates media relations, Shettima’s remarks underscore the need for collaboration and mutual respect between the media and politicians to preserve the integrity of democratic institutions.
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