By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom, declaring that democracy cannot flourish without an independent media, while urging journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking at the maiden State House Press Corps Presidential Dinner in Abuja, the President described the media as an indispensable pillar of democracy and a critical partner in nation-building, stressing that while the press must remain free, it also has a responsibility to report accurately and avoid spreading misinformation.

“Democracy is stymied without a free press. The fourth estate of the realm must be a free estate, and not a fief. However, where there is enormous power, there should be accountability and responsibility. The ethics of the profession must be considered sacred and upheld by practitioners,” Tinubu said.

The President assured journalists covering the State House of his administration’s continued commitment to guaranteeing them access, resources and the freedom required to perform their constitutional responsibilities.

He said freedom of speech and press freedom remain the bedrock of every democratic society but cautioned that such freedoms must always be exercised responsibly.

Tinubu expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, voice cloning and deepfake technology, warning that media professionals should not become channels for the dissemination of false or unverified information capable of undermining national security.

“The media must choose fact over falsehood. The media must choose substance over sensation. The media must choose credibility over clickbait and the endless race for followers, likes and viral outrage,” he said.

The President described the relationship between government and the media as one of constructive tension, noting that while both institutions often appear to be adversaries, they are, in reality, partners working towards the same democratic objectives.

According to him, government exists to provide leadership and public service, while the media is constitutionally empowered to scrutinise government actions and hold public officials accountable.

“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a certain level of tension. It ensures that we are constantly at each other’s throats—not because we dislike one another, but because democracy demands it,” he said.

Reflecting on his decades in public life, Tinubu recalled being one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised political figures and observed that speculation and allegations sometimes became accepted as facts before proper verification.

He urged journalists to maintain the highest ethical standards by distinguishing facts from rumours and evidence from opinion.

While reaffirming his support for freedom of expression, the President stressed that such rights do not extend to defamation or the deliberate dissemination of falsehood.

“Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of the press is not freedom to deliberately mislead. Rights come with responsibilities. Public trust is earned through fairness, professionalism, accuracy and integrity,” he stated.

Tinubu also defended existing laws, including the Cybercrimes Act, saying they are intended to protect citizens from malicious falsehoods, cyberstalking, identity theft and other abuses associated with the digital age rather than undermine press freedom.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the constitutional guarantees contained in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as the Freedom of Information Act, describing them as vital safeguards for transparency, accountability and democratic governance.

The President also highlighted what he described as positive outcomes of his administration’s economic reforms, including improved public revenues, increased allocations to states, stronger foreign reserves, renewed investment in the oil and gas sector and improved investor confidence.

On security, Tinubu said his administration had intensified military operations, strengthened intelligence gathering and enhanced collaboration among security agencies and international partners, leading to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of communities previously under threat.

He acknowledged that security challenges remain but maintained that the government has made significant progress in systematically degrading criminal networks across the country.

The President urged the media and government to continue building a relationship anchored on professionalism, mutual respect and a shared commitment to national development.

“Let us replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Let us replace sensationalism with professionalism. Let us replace the pursuit of outrage with the pursuit of truth. Together, let us continue building a nation where truth matters, accountability thrives, democracy flourishes, and every Nigerian has reason to believe in the promise of our country,” he said.