Chukwu Chimezie @Chukwu2025 $1.73

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Chukwu Chimezie
@Chukwu2025 $1.49

Tinubu tells Nigerian editors: “Report boldly, but do so truthfully”

President calls for strong media, but sends a mixed message on press freedom ABUJA – Speaking at the 21st annual conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged media practitioners in Nigeria to exercise boldness in their reporting – but emphasised that such boldness must be tempered by fairness, knowledge and a sense of national responsibility. ([Premium Times Nigeria][1]) “Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy, but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” Tinubu told the editors. ([Vanguard News][2]) ### Praising the media’s historic role – while limiting its future The President framed journalism in Nigeria as more than a job: “Throughout our history, journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession. It has been an instrument of national awakening.” ([Prime Business Africa][3]) He recalled the press’s role under colonial and military rule in pushing for freedom and democracy. ([Blueprint][4]) Yet, for all the applause, Tinubu also laid down clear expectations: that media critique should not undermine national cohesion, that disagreement should not turn into division, and that the national interest must remain paramount. ([Businessday NG][5]) ### The issue of freedom vs. responsibility Such a call for responsible journalism is hardly novel. But the way in which it’s phrased raises real questions about where the government sees the line between legitimate critique and “undermining progress”. On the one hand, Tinubu pledged support for the media sector, including promises to consider tax relief, legal protections and other interventions that would strengthen the industry. ([The Star][6]) On the other, he stressed that the media should not “tear down” the society – a phrase that can, depending on interpretation, chill investigative or adversarial journalism. In a country where the media plays a vital role in holding power to account, telling reporters to “report boldly” but within the boundaries of “fairness” and “national duty” opens a tension: How much boldness is too much? Who defines fairness or the national duty of the media? ### What the reality says It is important to note that the President’s words come amid real pressures on media freedom in Nigeria: concerns about misinformation, social media’s power to spread falsehoods, and – from critics – allegations that parts of the press are too close to political or commercial interests. ([New Telegraph][7]) > “Many proprietors have political alignments. Advertisers have interests. Engagement metrics reward sensationalism: division drives clicks, outrage drives sales.” ([New Telegraph][7]) So while the President asked editors to uphold the highest standards, the question remains: will the government allow editors the space to do just that, without subtle or overt pressure? ### Conclusion Tinubu’s message to Nigeria’s editors can be seen as a commendation of the media’s past and a rallying call for its future. But the tone also reflects the government’s expectation of cooperation. In an ideal democracy, the media acts as a watchdog, not simply a partner built for nation-building. If the message is taken at face value, it is positive. Report boldly and fearlessly, but with knowledge and fairness. Yet the underlying caveat – that the media should not “tear down” – subtly reminds that boldness must align with national interests. Whether Nigerian editors will feel genuinely free to push boundaries remains to be seen. --- If you like, I can pull together a full transcript of Tinubu’s remarks and highlight key passages with commentary on their implications for press freedom. Would you like me to do that? [1]: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/835072-report-boldly-criticise-but-do-so-truthfully-tinubu-tells-nigerian-editors.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Report boldly, criticise but do so truthfully, Tinubu tells Nigerian Editors" [2]: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/full-text-tinubus-speech-at-editors-conference/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Full text: Tinubu’s speech at editors’ conference - Vanguard News" [3]: https://www.primebusiness.africa/tinubu-urges-editors-to-balance-bold-critique-with-nation-building-responsibility/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tinubu Urges Editors to Balance Bold Critique with Nation-Building" [4]: https://blueprint.ng/tinubu-urges-editors-to-uphold-truth-strengthen-national-cohesion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tinubu urges editors to uphold truth, strengthen national cohesion - Blueprint Newspapers Limited" [5]: https://businessday.ng/news/article/tinubu-tasks-media-on-responsible-reporting-guided-by-national-interest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tinubu tasks media on responsible reporting guided by national interest - Businessday NG" [6]: https://www.thestar.ng/tinubu-pledges-support-for-media-urges-editors-to-uphold-press-freedom/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tinubu pledges support for media, urges editors to uphold press freedom - TheStar" [7]: https://newtelegraphng.com/nge-conference-uphold-highest-standard-of-journalism-tinubu-tells-editors/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NGE Conference: Uphold Highest Standard Of Journalism, Tinubu Tells Editors - New Telegraph"

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