Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
Speaking at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, Tinubu urged media practitioners in Nigeria to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in reporting, describing the press as a critical partner in nation-building and democratic governance.
“I am an apostle of a free press. I have defended and advocated for the rights of the media throughout my public life and will continue to do so,” he said
Tinubu, however, urged journalists to balance press freedom with responsibility in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
“Journalists and citizens must not forget the imperative of balancing rights with responsibility and the duty to report with care, accuracy and facts,” he said.
He warned against misinformation, disinformation, fake news and the growing threat of artificial intelligence-enabled deep fakes.
“Media practitioners should not be willing couriers of falsehood or unverified information injurious to national security and the nation,” he stated,
Describing the relationship between the government and the media as one of partnership and healthy democratic rivalry, Tinubu said: “Government exists to serve the people through leadership and policy. The media exists to watch those entrusted with power, ask difficult questions and hold government accountable.”
According to him, the inherent tension between both institutions is necessary for democracy to thrive.
“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a certain level of tension,” he said, urging both parties to deepen mutual respect and constructive engagement in the national interest.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State House Press Corps (SHPC), Anule Emmanuel, said that the Corps would continue to report professionally activities of the president as the Nigerian leader strives to reform the country.
Local media reports said that the high points of the event included the presentation of awards to distinguished recipients across various sectors and the decoration of President Tinubu as Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps.
GIK/APA