President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism by prioritising facts, accuracy, and ethical reporting over sensationalism and the growing pursuit of online traffic, viral content, and social media engagement.

The President made the appeal on Thursday during the maiden State House Media Dinner held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom while stressing that constitutional rights must be exercised responsibly.

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Addressing media professionals, Tinubu described himself as a lifelong supporter of a free and independent press, noting that his commitment to media freedom has remained consistent throughout his years in public service.

He, however, cautioned that freedom of expression and press freedom should never be interpreted as a licence to spread falsehoods, publish misleading information, or damage the reputation of others.

According to the President, journalists have a critical responsibility to report events accurately and in ways that promote national stability rather than inflame tensions.

He urged media organisations to choose factual reporting over sensational headlines, substance over speculation, and credibility over the pursuit of clicks, likes, and viral outrage.

Tinubu observed that the rise of misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, and artificial intelligence-generated content has made the role of professional journalists more important than ever.

He noted that despite the widespread availability of information through smartphones and social media, Nigerians still rely on trained journalists to verify facts, separate truth from speculation, and provide credible information.

Tinubu Urges Journalists to Uphold Accuracy, Reject Clickbait and Irresponsible Reporting

The President also warned against giving undue publicity to terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups through irresponsible reporting.

He urged journalists to resist becoming platforms that amplify the messages of those seeking to spread fear and insecurity, stressing that such coverage could undermine national efforts to combat crime and protect citizens.

According to Tinubu, while the government has the responsibility to address security challenges, the media also has an obligation to report developments responsibly and avoid inadvertently advancing the objectives of criminal elements.

He described the relationship between the government and the media as one of constructive tension, noting that while journalists are expected to question those in authority, both institutions ultimately share the responsibility of strengthening democracy and serving the Nigerian people.

Speaking on digital regulation, Tinubu defended existing legislation, including the Cybercrimes Act, saying the laws were enacted to protect citizens from cyberstalking, identity theft, malicious falsehoods, and other abuses associated with the digital age.

He maintained that such legal safeguards are intended to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem rather than restrict legitimate journalism or press freedom.

Turning to the economy, the President said his administration’s reforms are beginning to produce measurable gains.

He stated that public revenue has improved significantly, enabling higher allocations to state governments, while investor confidence is gradually returning.

Tinubu also said Nigeria’s foreign reserves have strengthened, investment is flowing back into the oil and gas sector, and ongoing tax and fiscal reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

On security, Tinubu said military operations have intensified across various parts of the country through improved intelligence gathering and enhanced collaboration among security agencies.

According to him, these efforts have resulted in the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of numerous kidnapped victims, and the recovery of communities previously under the control of armed groups.

He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between the government and the media without compromising the press’s constitutional duty to hold public officials accountable.

Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described President Tinubu as a “miracle worker” during the commissioning of the Old Keffi Road from Kado Fish Market to Dei-Dei in Abuja, an event organised to commemorate the President’s third year in office.

Representing President Tinubu at the ceremony, Akpabio said he had not seen any Nigerian president commission as many projects within three years in office, describing the administration’s infrastructure drive as unprecedented.

He praised the President’s performance and urged Nigerians to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting development, accountability, democratic governance, and national progress.