Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian journalists to anchor their report on verified information and also embrace the principle of balance in their stories.
Tinubu urged the journalists to continue upholding the highest standard of journalism through.
The President gave the charge at the ongoing 12th Nigerian Guild of Editor’s Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The government in his address maintained that the press is free to criticise the government but do so with knowledge and fairness.
“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 standard of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully.
“Criticise government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness.
“Your aim must never be to tear down what we are building.” He said.
Prior to the statement, Tinubu cited the rise in misinformation through social media as reasons why journalists must uphold its editorial functions.
“The national interest must continue to remain paramount. We live in a time when information travels widely and rapidly. Social media has made every citizens a potential publisher.
“This has benefits but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehoods can take root before truth has time to speak.
“In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. ” He said.