Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu says, Democracy thrives on Public Conversation.
The President who stated this on Wednesday, while declaring open the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that the media, especially the Editors have a major role to play in the conversation towards achieving national cohesion.
“Nigeria is our country. It is your country. It’s your country,” he emphasised.
He urged the Nigerian Editors to uphold integrity and fairness in their reportage, describing responsible journalism as essential to sustaining democracy and national cohesion.
He said the media must continue to act as a stabilising force in a rapidly changing information environment.
“The freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise.
“A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,” he said.
He, however, commended the Nigerian media for its historic role in advancing justice and democracy, recalling how journalists “endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of public good.”
The president, however, observed and cautioned that the digital age had amplified misinformation, making the editorial function more critical and challenging than ever.
He urged editors to be constructive in their criticism of government policies while maintaining fairness and accuracy.
“As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted.
“The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty.
“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion.
“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve.The national interest must always remain paramount.
“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation.
“Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle and professional judgement must be your guide.
“I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. 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,” he advised.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at long-term stability.
In his address of welcome, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, called for the repeal of laws that inhibit press freedom, as it raises concerns over the challenges facing the media industry in the country.
Anaba also expressed concern that the current economic realities in the country has rendered the media in distress, leading to the closure of some media houses while others struggle to pay workers’ salaries.
This, he said, had contributed to rising unemployment figures as employees from affected media outlets join the job market.
To address these challenges, Anaba solicited for both legislative and executive assistance to bolster the media industry.
He also requested for corporate tax relief for a period of about ten years, tax exemption, the establishment of low-interest loans for media organisations, and the creation of a digital transformation and innovation fund.
Furthermore, the Anaba proposed the development of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter aimed at shielding journalists from hostile environments.
The two-day conference with the theme: “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” drew editors, media executives, governors,and former presidents of the Guild, among others.
Share your thoughts on the story Democracy Survives By Public Conversation – Tinubu with Nigerian Kicker in the comments section.
