President Bola Tinubu has called on media practitioners across Nigeria to criticise government policies with fairness, knowledge, and a sense of national responsibility.
Speaking at the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu acknowledged the crucial role of the media in shaping public discourse and strengthening democracy.
He emphasised that while journalists have the right to hold the government accountable, criticism should not be aimed at undermining the nation’s progress.
“I urge you to continue upholding the standard of journalism — report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy, but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” Tinubu said.
The President highlighted the growing influence of social media, noting that while it has broadened citizen participation in journalism, it has also increased the spread of misinformation.
“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak,” he said.
Tinubu urged editors to uphold the core values of journalism, stressing that in today’s digital era, editorial integrity is more important than ever.
“In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle, and professional judgement must be your guide,” he added.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom and called for continued collaboration between the government and the media in building a stronger, more united Nigeria.
