President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian editors to safeguard national unity and deepen democracy through responsible journalism.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja, the President said the media wields immense influence in shaping public opinion, urging professionals to balance criticism with fairness and patriotism.
Tinubu, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, reflected on the historical sacrifices of Nigerian journalists, noting that the press had always stood firm at critical points in the nation’s history.
“Throughout our history, journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession. It has been an instrument of national awakening,” he said. “From challenging colonial injustice to sustaining hope under military rule, the press defended reason, dignity, and progress.”
He said journalists must continue that tradition of courage, but with a renewed sense of balance in an era of viral misinformation.
“Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle,” Tinubu told the editors, stressing that responsible reporting strengthens democracy more than sensationalism ever could.
He admitted that his administration faced waves of harsh reportage, especially after the removal of fuel subsidy and the naira float, but insisted he would rather have a free and truthful press than a silenced one.
A Call For Responsible Freedom
The President said democracy thrives not just on elections and laws but also on “the integrity of public conversation.”
He described editors as custodians of the national narrative whose decisions can either unite or divide the country.
He cautioned that cynicism and despair in public discourse could weaken social cohesion, urging editors to use their power to promote reason and hope.
“Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair,” Tinubu said.
He added that government, civil society, and the media share a joint responsibility to build trust and cooperation in governance.
Economic Survival And Editorial Freedom
In his address, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, said press freedom and democratic sustainability are threatened by economic hardship and legal constraints facing media houses.
“When the press thrives, democracy breathes; when the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” he said, referencing Section 22 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which empowers the media to hold power accountable.
Anaba proposed a five-point “rescue package” for the industry, including tax reliefs, VAT exemptions on newsprint and equipment, and low-interest loans through the Bank of Industry.
He also called for a Media Development Fund to support digital transformation and a repeal of restrictive laws that endanger journalists.
He revealed that a ton of newsprint now costs between ₦1.3 million and ₦1.4 million — a cost that could cripple most print operations within days.
Editors And The Weight Of Narrative
Also speaking at the event, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, challenged editors to uphold objectivity while recognising the power they wield in framing public perception.
“You choose the lens through which millions see their country, their leaders, and each other,” he said. “Same facts, different frames — entirely different public perception.”
Uzodinma pointed to the 2023 elections as an example, arguing that how editors framed stories shaped how citizens viewed the credibility of the process. He urged journalists to prioritise accuracy over speed and verification over virality.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” explored how the media can rebuild trust in public institutions and promote unity in an increasingly polarised society.
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