- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has charged journalists and media houses against undermining Nigeria with what he labelled irresponsible reporting.
Tinubu further urged the media against becoming megaphones for terrorists by amplifying their activities, warning that such attention will leave the country with no safe space.
Tinubu gave the charge while speaking at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Thursday.
The President who acknowledged the role of the media in the society called for collective protection of Nigeria.
“We must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we did.
“At the time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralising thousands of criminal elements and rescue hostages, the media should not become amplifier for those who wish to harm us.
“They want us to be divided. They want you and I to be afraid of one another. We will not surrender to their will.
“The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation.” He said.
While admitting to the constant friction between the government and the media, the president described it as a healthy tension that strengthens the country as recounted being praised and criticised by newspapers.
“Yes, there is often 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 and bark when necessary.
“As the President, I’ve found myself both praised and sometimes criticised. The same newspaper in different days.
“One day, I read in the headline that Tinubu cause big in the economy and Nigeria economy is expanding.
“The very next day, the same newspaper turned to another page. I encountered another headline; ‘Nigeria’s Economy Falters as Tinubu Loses Grip’.
“It is this heathy tension that strengthens our republic.” He said.
Tinubu, earlier in his address, recounted how he nearly stopped reading newspapers on account of the criticisms and media reports against his reforms.
He however commended the media for their recent reports acknowledging the reforms.
Tinubu noted that some of Nigeria’s founding fathers were journalists who used the newspapers to fight the course of the country’s independence.
“At the beginning of the administration, it was hard the way you approached the reforms, but I’m glad tonight you give credit to that reform, you nearly stopped me from reading then.
“But I had to summon courage that as one of you, I must read you; I must hear you; I must feel you. And I read you every morning sincerely ever since then.
“Some of our founding fathers were journalists. They established the newspapers to fight the course of our independence and to share the course of our nation.” He said.
The president assured the press of his continued support and sustenance of their freedom in accordance with the constitution.
“Let me assure you that my administration remains committed to ensuring that you have access and the resources and freedom to your job and in accordance with the constitution.” He added.