***Urges media not to glorify terrorists, kidnappers; defends Cybercrimes Act

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that tension between government and the media is both inevitable and essential to democratic governance, saying scrutiny by the press remains indispensable to holding leaders accountable.

Speaking at the inaugural Presidential Dinner with the State House Press Corps (SHPC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said the government and the media should see themselves not as adversaries but as partners working in the service of democracy.

“Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy. Yes, there is tension between the government and the press, but that is the nature of democracy. The government must act; the media must watch. The government must explain; the media must question when necessary. It is this healthy tension that strengthens our Republic.”

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom but stressed that constitutional liberties must always be exercised with professionalism, responsibility and the overriding national interest.

He cautioned journalists against becoming channels through which terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups spread fear and propaganda.

“The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation.”

Tinubu urged journalists to place Nigeria first in reporting security matters, warning that irresponsible reporting could undermine efforts to tackle insecurity.

“On matters of current affairs and the security of our nation, Nigeria must always come first. You must think about Nigeria first.
“We must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we do.”

While acknowledging that insecurity remained a challenge, he said security agencies had made significant progress through sustained military operations, improved intelligence and stronger inter-agency collaboration.

“At a time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralising thousands of criminal elements and rescuing hostages, the media should not become platforms for those who wish us harm.
“They want you and I to be afraid of one another. We will not surrender to fear and crisis.”

Describing the media as one of the pillars of democracy, Tinubu said freedom of speech and press freedom remained fundamental rights but must always be exercised responsibly.

“What are we enjoying today? Democracy. This democracy rests on the foundation of freedoms, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and free expression. They are the bedrock of an open and democratic society.
“We must all remember that those rights come with responsibilities.”

The President urged journalists to choose “fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clicks,” warning that misinformation now travels faster than facts in the digital age.

He also cautioned against abuse of constitutional freedoms.
“Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of the press is not freedom to disseminate falsehood. Public trust is earned through fairness, accuracy and responsibility.”

Tinubu defended the Cybercrimes Act, insisting it was enacted to protect citizens from malicious falsehoods, identity theft and other digital abuses rather than to weaken the media.

“Nigeria has enacted laws, including the Cybercrimes Act, to protect citizens from malicious falsehoods, identity theft and other digital abuses. These laws are not meant to weaken the press but to protect our citizens and the integrity of our information ecosystem.”

Reviewing his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said difficult but necessary policy decisions taken over the past three years were beginning to deliver results, citing stronger public revenues, improving investor confidence, rising foreign reserves and increased investments across key sectors.

He maintained that despite lingering challenges, the reforms had laid a firm foundation for long-term economic growth and pledged to sustain efforts to improve security and create conditions for prosperity.

In his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris urged journalists to exercise restraint in reporting security issues, warning against headlines that inadvertently glorify terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal organisations.

He said ethical journalism should promote national cohesion while remaining faithful to truth, fairness and professionalism.

Idris also highlighted government initiatives to strengthen the media sector, including the establishment of a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute and the rollout of the FreeTV digital broadcasting platform.

Earlier, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Dr Emmanuel Anule appealed to the President to institutionalise the Presidential Dinner as an annual engagement between the Presidency and journalists covering the seat of government.

He said such a platform would deepen dialogue, reduce misconceptions and strengthen mutual trust while reaffirming the corps’ commitment to fair, factual and professional reportage.

The event was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers, media executives and members of the State House Press Corps.

It also featured awards recognising outstanding Nigerians for their contributions to national development, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, industrialist Aliko Dangote, businessman Tony Elumelu, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service Zacch Adedeji, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, former presidential spokesman Segun Adeniyi, veteran Reuters correspondent Felix Onuah, non-linear editor Nicholas Okechukwu, the late Baba Ladan Abubakar, who received a posthumous honour, and SHPC Chairman Emmanuel Anule.