The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Anaba Eze, has called on President Bola Tinubu to save the media industry in Nigeria in the face of persistent economic hardship in the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ongoing three-day All Nigerian Editors Conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in southeastern Nigeria with the theme: “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country”, Eze noted that the ‘Biggest threat to media survival today is the availability of resource materials’.
“We are here because we recognize the critical role that both a strong economy and a resilient media sector play in fostering a prosperous, informed, and democratic society. Today, as editors, we stand at a crossroads where our decisions, priorities, and strategies will shape the future of our country and journalism.
“The growth of our nation’s economy directly influences every sector, and our industry is no exception. A strong economy fuels consumer spending, drives innovation, and creates opportunities for media organizations to expand and thrive. Yet, with these opportunities come new challenges.
“Media organizations face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends while staying financially viable and maintaining journalistic integrity. The biggest threat to media survival today is the availability of resource materials to produce our papers or broadcast on our TV stations,” he said.
He further noted that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information, had promised to address the challenges faced by media organizations. He expressed hope that there would be a resolution that would allow newspapers to continue practicing their profession effectively.
Eze emphasized that sustainability in the media industry is not just about economic survival, but about preserving the values that make journalism a pillar of democracy. He cited Section 22 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which mandates the media to hold the government to account.
“The Constitution challenges us to hold the government accountable, even amid the poverty facing our profession,” he said. “Our work is essential not only to our audiences but also to the economic and social fabric of our country.”
In his remarks, the chairman of the conference and publisher of Thisday and Arise Television, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, lamented the challenges facing the media industry but expressed optimism for the future.
“Nigeria is in a reset. We have reforms underway, and unlike others, I believe that the future can be better if we give these reforms a human face. We should support the reforms, stay the course, and ensure that the poor and vulnerable are supported,” he said,
GIK/APA