By Ademuyiwa Balikis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian editors to continue reporting boldly and truthfully while supporting efforts to build a stronger and more united nation.
Speaking at the 21st Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (ANEC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday, the President said the media remains a vital pillar of democracy and national development.
Tinubu commended the Nigerian Guild of Editors for its commitment to democratic values and called on journalists to verify information, avoid misinformation, and promote national unity.
“Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” he said.
He assured the Guild that his administration would consider its requests for tax reliefs, legal protection, and policy support to ensure the sustainability of the media industry.
The President also acknowledged the nation’s security challenges and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace, progress, and prosperity across Nigeria.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised President Tinubu for being the first sitting President to attend the Guild’s conference in person. He noted that under the current administration, no media house has been threatened or shut down for expressing dissenting opinions.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, urged editors to take greater responsibility in protecting electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that unbalanced reporting can deepen public distrust.
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, thanked President Tinubu for his attendance and appealed for government support through tax incentives, access to affordable financing, and the creation of a Media Development Fund to promote digital innovation.
He emphasized that editors must defend truth, insist on transparency, and hold power to account not as adversaries, but as partners in national progress.
