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By Myke Agunwa
President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian editors to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and responsibility in their reportage, describing credible journalism as vital to sustaining democracy and national cohesion.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGE) Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu said the media must continue to serve as a stabilising force in a fast-changing information landscape.
“The freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise. A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,” the president said.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” brought together editors, senior journalists and policymakers to examine the role of the media in strengthening unity amid national challenges.
Tinubu praised the Nigerian press for its historical role in advancing justice and democracy, recalling how journalists “endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good.”
He however warned that the digital era has amplified misinformation, stressing that the editorial function has become more crucial than ever.
“As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted.
“The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty,” he said.
The president urged editors to remain constructive in their criticism of government policies while maintaining fairness and accuracy.
“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation,” Tinubu said. “But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve.”
He cautioned that social media has made “every citizen a potential publisher,” increasing the spread of falsehoods that can harm public trust.
“Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, verification must be your anchor, balance your principle, and professional judgement your guide,” he added.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at securing stability and expanding opportunities for Nigerians.
“The reforms we have undertaken have been challenging, but they are designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing.
“The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy, but we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in people’s lives,” Tinubu said.
He called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, civil society and the media to advance national unity and development.
“Nation-building requires cooperation, trust and a shared understanding that our future is tied together. The media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity” the President said.
Tinubu concluded by reminding editors that their influence extends beyond headlines.
“Your work matters,” he said. “The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape the direction of our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose.”