President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian editors to uphold the highest standards of journalism anchored on verification, balance, and professional judgment, saying these remain the foundation for credible public discourse in today’s fast-paced information age.
Speaking today at the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu says that the explosion of social media has made every citizen a potential publisher, increasing both the reach and risks 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,” the President says.
“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,” the President says.
Tinubu: Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher
“In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle; and professional judgment must be your guide.”
Tinubu underscores that the press plays a critical role in shaping national narratives and protecting democratic values. He recalls the media’s historic role in challenging colonial rule and military dictatorship, noting that the sacrifices of Nigerian journalists have laid the foundation for the democracy the nation enjoys today.
“From the early newspapers that challenged colonial injustice to the principled voices that kept hope alive during the dark days of military dictatorship, the Nigerian press has stood at critical points in our nationhood to defend reason, dignity, and progress,” he says.
The President pays tribute to journalists who faced intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public interest, describing them as custodians of democratic integrity.
He, however, cautions that freedom and democracy cannot sustain themselves without truth and responsible dialogue.
“A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation. This is where your role becomes central and indispensable,” Tinubu says, adding that editors hold the power to shape public understanding and determine which issues define the national agenda.
On ethical journalism, President Tinubu calls on editors to remain fearless but fair, to critique government policies with knowledge and objectivity, and to ensure their reporting contributes to nation-building rather than division.
“Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” he says. “Cynicism and reckless reporting weaken national cohesion and breed mistrust and despair.”
He also ties media ethics to his administration’s broader goals of economic reform, institutional strengthening, and social trust.
“We remain committed to securing our nation, sustaining economic stability, and widening the circle of opportunity for all citizens,” Tinubu says. “But economic reforms and institutional improvements alone cannot build the Nigeria we seek. Nation-building requires cooperation, trust, and a shared understanding that our future is tied together.”
The President wants editors to exercise their influence responsibly, noting that the choices made in newsrooms will shape the nation’s collective future.
“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,” he says.
Tinubu reiterates his call for the media to remain a beacon of integrity, fairness, and national service — ensuring that journalism continues to strengthen democracy, foster unity, and build a Nigeria rooted in truth.
Home
