Tinubu Urges Nigerian Journalists to Fight Fake News and Uphold Professional Standards

(President Bola Tinubu. Photo Credit: Nation News)

President Bola Tinubu has called on journalists across Nigeria to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their reportage, stressing that responsible journalism is vital to the survival of democracy.

He made the appeal on Thursday during the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the media as a critical institution that works alongside government to strengthen democratic governance and national stability.

The President reiterated his long-standing support for press freedom, assuring media practitioners that his administration remains committed to protecting the constitutional rights of journalists and citizens to express themselves freely, describing himself as a longtime defender and advocate of the media who would continue in that role.

He stressed, however, that freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility, caution and integrity, noting that journalists and citizens alike must balance their rights with the duty to report accurately and factually.

Tinubu voiced concern over the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation and fake news, particularly amid the increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce misleading content, and cautioned journalists against becoming unwitting channels for false or unverified information capable of undermining national security and public trust.

He described the relationship between government and the media as a necessary democratic partnership in which both sides play distinct but complementary roles, explaining that while government exists to serve the people through leadership and policy, the media exists to scrutinise those in power, ask difficult questions and hold government accountable.

He maintained that this dynamic, in which government acts and explains while the media watches and questions, naturally guarantees a degree of tension.

The President called for greater cooperation between public officials and journalists, urging both sides to embrace constructive engagement over hostility, and to prioritise professionalism over sensationalism and truth over the pursuit of outrage.

Reflecting on the influence of social media, he said credible journalism has become even more critical in an era shaped by instant information and online engagement, urging the media to choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait and the chase for followers and viral attention.

He stressed that professional journalists have a responsibility to separate verified information from speculation, rumours and propaganda, adding that freedom of expression does not extend to defamation, and press freedom does not extend to deliberate deception, since rights come with responsibilities.

Tinubu also defended legislation such as the Cybercrimes Act, insisting it was designed to protect citizens and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s information space rather than to suppress press freedom, while referencing constitutional provisions that guarantee both freedom of expression and the media’s watchdog function.

On the economy, the President said reforms introduced by his administration were beginning to yield positive results, pointing to a stabilising economy, significantly strengthened public revenues, returning investor confidence and key indicators moving in the right direction.

He also highlighted ongoing security operations nationwide, noting that security agencies had intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and reclaimed communities previously under threat.

Tinubu expressed optimism that the annual State House Media Corps dinner would grow into a sustained platform for deepening collaboration and mutual understanding between the Presidency and the media.