• Guild seeks tax reliefs, low-interest loans; President ‘endorses’ industry rescue plan
• When press thrives, democracy breathes, editors tell Tinubu
• Media freedom flourishing under Tinubu administration, says Minister
• Uzodimma warns editors against tribal bias in journalism
• Assurance of economic recovery meets UN warning of worsening hunger crisis

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) yesterday raised concerns about the worsening financial state of the Nigerian media, warning that many organisations are on the brink of collapse due to soaring operational costs.

To save the industry, the Guild proposed a five- to ten-year corporate tax relief for media companies, VAT exemptions on essential inputs, tax credits for corporations advertising in verified Nigerian outlets, and low-interest loan windows through the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria to support equipment upgrades and digital migration.

It also called for the creation of a Media Innovation Fund to support online platforms, data journalism and multimedia storytelling.

“If the media cannot keep journalists employed, it cannot inform citizens; and without an informed citizenry, democracy is weakened,” said President of the Guild, Eze Anaba, at the 21st All Editors Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors at the State House, Abuja.

Anaba noted that the price of a tonne of newsprint has risen to between N1.3 million and N1.4 million, lasting only a few days, a trend that has left newsrooms overwhelmed by production expenses.

“The media today is distressed. Many organisations simply cannot pay salaries, not because they are incompetent, but because the cost of production has become prohibitive,” he said.

Anaba warned that the inability of media houses to retain journalists threatens democratic accountability.

“When the press thrives, democracy breathes. When the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” he said, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly.

This came as President Bola Tinubu urged Nigerian editors to exercise their watchdog role with fairness and patriotism, saying criticism of the government must not come at the expense of national unity or the country’s global image.

He charged editors to uphold their gatekeeping duties responsibly, warning that irresponsible reporting and misinformation could undermine national cohesion and democratic stability.

The President further expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its current economic challenges, assuring citizens that the country’s reforms would yield enduring prosperity despite short-term hardship.

Speaking at the All Editors Conference, President Tinubu acknowledged the media’s historic role in national awakening and democratic resistance but cautioned that cynicism and unverified claims now pose significant threats to unity.

He recalled the outrage that followed his early economic reforms, particularly foreign exchange liberalisation and the removal of arbitrage, but maintained that the policies were necessary to curb corruption and lay the foundation for long-term economic recovery.

“When I assumed office and removed the arbitrage to stop corruption and strengthen the economy, you all dealt with me,” he said. “But today, we should celebrate that progress is being made. The days of darkness are ending; the economy is on the path to improvement.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability, attracting investment and improving citizens’ welfare, even as the reforms remain demanding.

Tinubu commended the Nigerian media’s courage during the military era, honouring journalists who endured intimidation, detention and hardship in defence of national ideals.

“Journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession; it has been an instrument of national awakening,” he said. “Their sacrifices form part of the foundation upon which our democracy rests.”

He, however, reminded editors that their decisions shape national mood and perception, especially in an age where social media has accelerated the spread of misinformation.

“Verification must be your anchor. Balance must be your principle,” he said. “Criticise government policy, but do so with knowledge and fairness. Let your aim be to help build, not destroy.”

While noting that dissent is natural in a diverse country, he warned that disagreement must never erode national cohesion.

He said, “Debate is part of our reality, but disagreement must never translate into weakening national unity. The national interest must be paramount.”

Responding to proposals by the NGE, including VAT exemptions for media houses, tax credits, affordable loans, digitisation grants and repeal of laws inhibiting press freedom, Tinubu said the requests had his “endorsement.”

On national security, the President acknowledged threats from terrorism and banditry but expressed confidence in ongoing efforts by security forces.

“We are challenged by terrorism and banditry, but our forces are inspired. They put their lives on the line to defend our sovereignty,” he stated.

Tinubu urged editors to remain conscious of how they portray Nigeria to the global community.

“This is our country. How we project Nigeria to the outside world matters,” he said. “Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair.”

Press freedom flourishing under Tinubu administration, says Minister
Also speaking at the conference, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said press freedom is thriving under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with more than 1,000 radio and television stations operating freely across the country without intimidation or censorship.

Idris described President Tinubu as a symbol of the resilience, courage, and enduring struggle that have defined the Nigerian media throughout the country’s democratic journey.

“Mr President’s life and leadership embody the same fortitude that has defined the Nigerian press from its earliest days. Like the media, he has stood firm in defence of truth, democracy, and the people’s right to be heard. His story and that of the Nigerian media are intertwined in resilience,” he said.

The Minister described Tinubu’s attendance at the conference, the first by a sitting President, as a powerful show of respect and solidarity with the media.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to press freedom, Idris noted that no media organisation has been shut down or sanctioned under the Tinubu government.

“This is not by coincidence, but by conviction. The President understands, from personal experience, that a free and vibrant media is essential to democracy,” he added.

Idris also highlighted key government reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of the naira, and tax modernisation efforts, describing them as difficult but necessary measures to strengthen the economy and promote inclusivity.

“It worked in Lagos; with your fair and balanced reporting, it will work for Nigeria,” he told the gathering of editors.

He further noted Nigeria’s growing global recognition in media development, citing the country’s hosting rights for the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMLI) as a milestone for advancing responsible communication and ethical journalism.

The Minister urged editors to continue partnering with the government in nation-building through fair and balanced reporting.

“This administration believes in the power of the media to shape perception and inspire hope. We invite you to engage, to critique constructively, and to join hands with the government in deepening our democracy,” Idris said.

Uzodimma warns editors against tribal bias in journalism
For his part, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, cautioned editors that allowing tribalism to masquerade as journalism undermines the foundation of democracy.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at the conference with the theme “2027: Editors as Catalysts of Democracy, National Cohesion and Electoral Integrity,” Uzodimma said the media’s responsibility extends beyond reporting facts, as it plays a crucial role in shaping public confidence in the electoral process.

He noted that the media’s performance during the 2023 elections fell below expectations, observing that while some outlets maintained professionalism, others used their platforms to promote divisive narratives.

“If the newsroom allows disinformation, rumour and tribalism masquerading as journalism, then electoral integrity is already compromised even before the vote is cast,” he said.

The governor warned that unverified claims about rigging, when circulated unchecked on editorial pages or digital platforms, erode trust and distort the democratic process, irrespective of the actual conduct at polling units.

He stressed that electoral integrity is not merely a matter of ballots, security logistics or INEC transparency, but also hinges on the quality of information reaching citizens. “Public confidence lives or dies in the narratives you control,” he said, urging editors to prioritise accuracy over speed and reject partisan or ethnic biases that distort facts.

Uzodimma further challenged journalists to highlight what unites Nigerians rather than what divides them, adding that national cohesion can be strengthened when editorial choices promote unity instead of amplifying ethnic tension, regional disparities or religious conflicts.

He called on editors to serve as catalysts of democracy by upholding editorial integrity, curbing disinformation and resisting the temptation to frame coverage through a tribalistic prism.

“If your coverage leaves citizens to believe elections are fundamentally rigged, trust drops, legitimacy erodes and democracy weakens,” he warned.

Assurance of economic recovery meets UN warning of worsening hunger crisis
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu’s optimism at the NGE conference that Nigeria would overcome its current economic challenges came as the United Nations (UN) raised the alarm over worsening food insecurity in Nigeria and 15 other global hunger hotspots yesterday, warning that millions could face famine between November 2025 and May 2026.

The joint report titled “Hunger Hotspots: FAO/WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity”—produced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP)—classified Nigeria, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Somalia, and Syria as zones of “very high concern.”

Other countries, including Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen, were listed as facing an imminent risk of catastrophic hunger, the highest phase on the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC/CH Phase 5) scale.

The report attributed the crisis to conflict, economic shocks, and extreme weather conditions, warning that shrinking humanitarian funding could push millions toward famine.

It revealed that only $10.5 billion of the $29 billion required for global emergency food assistance had been received as of October 2025, resulting in severe ration cuts and suspension of vital school feeding and nutrition programmes.

Four additional regions: Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, were flagged as high-risk areas needing urgent attention.

FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, urged governments and global partners to move from reaction to prevention, stressing that investing in livelihoods and resilience could avert large-scale disasters.

“We must move from reacting to crises to preventing them. Investing in livelihoods, resilience, and social protection before hunger peaks will save lives and resources. Famine prevention is not just a moral duty; it is a smart investment in long-term peace and stability,” Dongyu said.

Also, WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain, warned that failure to act could worsen instability, migration, and conflict.

“Mothers are skipping meals so their children can eat. Families are exhausting what little they have left as they struggle to survive. We urgently need new funding and unimpeded access. A failure to act now will drive further instability, migration, and conflict,” McCain said.

Both agencies appealed for renewed global attention, sustained investment in resilience, and unrestricted humanitarian access to vulnerable regions, emphasising that famine remains predictable and preventable if governments act decisively.

The bi-annual Hunger Hotspots report, developed under the Global Network Against Food Crises with European Union support, aims to provide early warning and coordinated response to emerging food emergencies.