Media shouldn’t be a megaphone for terrorist-Tinubu

Media shouldn’t be a megaphone for terrorist-Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on journalists in Nigeria to place the country’s interest above sensational stories, saying responsible reporting is important for protecting national security and strengthening democracy.

The President made the call on Thursday night during the first Presidential Press Corps dinner held in Abuja. He said the media should not allow itself to be used by terrorists, kidnappers or criminal groups seeking to create fear and division across the country.

According to him, news organisations have a duty to report accurately and avoid giving publicity to those whose actions threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria.

Tinubu said both the government and the media have a shared duty to protect the nation. He noted that Nigeria is dealing with security challenges, while security agencies continue operations against criminal groups and work to rescue kidnapped victims.

He said careless reporting could weaken the country’s efforts and create more room for those trying to cause instability.The President, who was honoured as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps during the event, said freedom of speech and press freedom remain vital parts of every democratic society.

However, he stated that these rights come with responsibilities and should not be used to spread false information or damage people’s reputations.

He said his administration has received both praise and criticism from journalists, adding that he accepts fair scrutiny and welcomes balanced reporting that helps Nigerians understand government policies and the direction of the country.

He urged journalists to give proper background to stories instead of focusing only on attention-grabbing reports.Tinubu also spoke about the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.

He said professional journalism is now more important than ever because the public depends on credible information. He urged media organisations to focus on truth, accuracy and responsible reporting instead of false stories designed to attract online traffic.

The President explained that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act are meant to protect citizens from harmful falsehoods and other forms of abuse on digital platforms. He said the law was not created to weaken press freedom but to guard against the spread of damaging misinformation.

Speaking on the economy, Tinubu said the difficult reforms introduced by his administration are beginning to produce positive results.

He stated that Nigeria has moved beyond a period of uncertainty, with improvements in government revenue, stronger foreign reserves, renewed investor confidence and fresh investments flowing into the oil and gas sector.

On security, the President said military operations and intelligence efforts have continued across different parts of the country.

He added that the government remains committed to improving safety and creating conditions that will support economic growth and national development.