President Bola Tinubu has called on the media to promote national values and cease misinforming Nigeria.
Speaking at the 19th Nigeria Editors Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Tinubu expressed concern over the rising tide of false narratives and misinformation that pose a significant threat to Nigerian society.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the Editors for their instrumental role in advancing Nigeria’s democracy.
The President emphasized that the Federal Government is actively working to address the moral decline within the country.
“A sustained mass reorientation campaign has been implemented to foster unity, patriotism, and the promotion of positive values among Nigerians.”
He urged the Nigeria Editors to lend their support to this crucial campaign, stressing the importance of combating misinformation through fact-checking, responsible reporting, and promoting media and digital literacy.
“We seek to collectively reorient ourselves as Nigerians in the direction of a stronger sense of national identity and shared values. I will, therefore, appeal to all our Editors to support this campaign for national rectitude among Nigerians.”
Earlier, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State called on the Nigerian Guild of Editors to prioritize good governance in their reportage, striking a balance between holding leaders accountable and maintaining a developmental-oriented approach.
He underscored the need for constructive criticism and emphasized the important role the media plays in fostering a democratic society.
On his part, Eze Anaba, President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, highlighted the conference as a valuable platform for driving growth and development in the media industry and the nation as a whole.
He urged the Editors to uphold principles of balanced, accurate, factual, and fair reporting, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking tools in disseminating information.
Anaba stressed that the press must fulfill its constitutional duty of holding power accountable, upholding human rights, the rule of law, good governance, and democratic principles.
Also, at the event, Chairman of the conference, Sam Amuka Pemu, emphasized the critical economic situation in the country and advised Editors to exercise diligence in removing unwanted items while disseminating information to the public.
The conference served as a powerful call to action, rallying Editors and media professionals to champion the truth, promote national values, and play a vital role in strengthening Nigerian society.
