President Bola Tinubu has endorsed several proposals put forward by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) aimed at rescuing the country’s struggling media sector.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President commended the editors for their dedication and acknowledged the economic challenges confronting media organisations.
Tinubu said he fully supported the Guild’s requests, which include a ten-year corporate tax relief, Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption, tax deductions, access to affordable financing, and the creation of development grants to assist media digitisation.
“I’ve listened to your requests — corporate tax relief, VAT exemption, affordable loans from the Bank of Industry, and the repeal of laws that inhibit press freedom. I, as your President, endorse your proposal. Your request is in my pocket,” Tinubu said lightheartedly.
The President urged editors to uphold their watchdog responsibilities with patriotism and fairness, warning that irresponsible reporting and misinformation could undermine national unity and democratic stability.
“Criticism of government policies is acceptable, but it must be fair and factual. Verification must be your anchor, and balance must be your principle,” he added.
Tinubu reflected on the country’s difficult but necessary economic reforms, noting that measures such as foreign exchange liberalisation were essential to restore macroeconomic stability and curb corruption. He reiterated his administration’s focus on improving citizens’ welfare, attracting investment, and ensuring long-term recovery.
While paying tribute to journalists who suffered persecution during the military era, the President said journalism had always played a vital role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. He reminded editors that their work shapes public perception at home and abroad, urging them to project hope and clarity in their coverage.
“This is our country. How we portray Nigeria to the world matters. Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair,” he said.
Media Industry in Distress
Earlier in his address, NGE President Eze Anaba raised concerns about the worsening financial state of the media industry. He said that the rising cost of newsprint—now between ₦1.3 million and ₦1.4 million per ton—had made it difficult for many organisations to operate, with some struggling to pay staff salaries.
“The media today is distressed. Many organisations simply cannot pay salaries, not because they are incompetent, but because the cost of production has become prohibitive,” Anaba stated.
He warned that the inability of media houses to retain journalists posed a serious threat to democracy, stressing that a weakened press undermines citizens’ access to accurate information.
To revitalise the sector, the Guild proposed several measures, including tax reliefs, VAT exemptions on essential inputs, and low-interest loan windows through the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria. It also called for a Media Innovation Fund to support digital journalism, data-driven reporting, and multimedia storytelling.
“These interventions are not favours; they are safeguards for democracy. When the press thrives, democracy breathes. When the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” Anaba said.
Editors as Catalysts for Democracy
Delivering the keynote address, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma urged editors to play an active role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said editors must uphold objectivity and responsibility, emphasising that media coverage could either foster unity or deepen divisions.
“You are not spectators in 2027; you are catalysts. The narratives you shape will determine whether Nigerians see the elections through a tribal lens or a shared national destiny,” Uzodimma said.
The governor cautioned against sensational reporting that fuels mistrust, noting that biased election coverage contributed to public scepticism during the 2023 polls. He cited data showing that 49 percent of Nigerians distrust the media, calling the trend alarming.
“Every editorial choice has consequences. How you frame political issues and whose voices you prioritise can shape national cohesion and voter confidence,” he added.
Uzodimma urged journalists to embrace accuracy, verification, and context rather than speed or sensationalism driven by competition and commercial pressure.
“Let 2027 be the year the Nigerian media becomes the architect of a shared democratic future,” he concluded.
Government Reaffirms Support for Press Freedom
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who also spoke at the event, commended President Tinubu for being the first sitting president to attend an NGE conference—a gesture he described as a “profound acknowledgment of the fourth estate.”
Idris said Tinubu’s political history reflected his appreciation for press freedom, recalling his defiance against federal pressure during his tenure as Lagos governor.
“Like the press under military dictatorship, President Tinubu resisted oppression. He understands that an independent media is not a foe of government but the foundation of a lasting democracy,” the minister said.
He assured editors that the government’s modernised tax reforms would strengthen key sectors, and that the requests for media tax exemptions would be duly considered.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to free expression, Idris noted that no broadcast station had been shut down for critical reporting. He also pointed to UNESCO’s decision to grant Nigeria hosting rights for the global Media and Information Literacy Institute as evidence of international confidence in the country’s media environment.
“The best editor is the one who knows what not to publish,” Idris said. “Let us tell the Nigerian story with balance, truth, and an unshakable belief in our future. The fourth estate must continue to stand strong in defence of the people.”
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