The Federal Government has urged journalists in Nigeria to exercise restraint in their coverage of terrorism and banditry by avoiding prominent front-page placement of the activities of criminal groups, in a bid to promote national stability and patriotism.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS).
The summit focused on the theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
Idris reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to press freedom but stressed the need for responsible reporting that does not amplify the activities of criminals.
“Yes, we have to do our work, we have to report whatever happens, but you must know that the best reporter, the best editor, is the one who knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building.
“Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave, free of charge.
“It saddens my mind when I see our front pages, when I see our headlines, reporting the activities of these criminals and underplaying the ones by security agencies,” the minister said.
He warned that national security is fundamental to the survival of the media, noting that journalism cannot thrive in an unstable environment.
Idris also called on editors to give more visibility to the sacrifices of security personnel rather than unintentionally promoting the activities of insurgents.
“We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation.
“Please, let’s have that at the back of our minds. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” he said.
The minister added that the government is complementing military efforts with non-kinetic strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.
He further highlighted key achievements of the administration, including the expansion of access to tertiary education through the National Education Loan Fund, which he said has enabled over 1.3 million students to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Idris also revealed that plans are underway to improve welfare packages for media practitioners as part of efforts to boost morale and strengthen the industry.
Commending progress in the communications sector, he cited the successful rollout of the digital switchover after 15 years as evidence of effective collaboration between stakeholders.
In his remarks, NUJ National President, Mr Alhassan Yahya, said the summit was designed to deepen cooperation between the media and security agencies in the interest of democracy and national development.
He praised the leadership of the DSS under its Director General, Mr Adeola Ajayi, noting improved relations between the agency and the press.
“The Honourable Minister, it may interest you to know, in the last one and a half years, there has been no record of intimidation or harassment by state services in this country.
“It is our hope and prayer that other security agencies will emulate the model adopted by NUJ and DSS to work as partners towards taking our country to a greater height,” Yahya said.
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He also described the digital switchover as a major milestone that would strengthen the media industry and contribute to national security.
President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the media and security sector remain central to sustaining democracy in Nigeria.
He announced that Nigeria had secured hosting rights for the World Public Relations Forum scheduled for November 2026, marking the first time the event would be held in Sub-Saharan Africa and expected to attract professionals from 126 countries.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Press Institute, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, said press freedom and national security should not be viewed as opposing goals.
He explained that both are essential to democratic governance, warning that insecurity without accountability leads to abuse, while freedom without security cannot thrive.
“The conflict between security agencies and the media arises because our objectives are fundamentally different.
“More often, this conflict also results from inadequate communication, mistrust, and the failure to utilise existing mechanisms for resolving disagreements.
“Alternative downward self-regulatory processes, professional accountability mechanisms, and judicial channels address disputes more effectively than raids, arrests, detention, and intimidation.
“The task before democratic institutions is therefore not to eliminate tension, but to manage it responsibly.
“National security and press freedom are not opposing goals; they are mutually reinforcing pillars of democratic governance,” Mojeed said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the International Press Institute to defending press freedom while supporting national security efforts.
The summit drew participation from heads of security agencies, representatives of the Inspector General of Police, former NUJ presidents, and leaders of media and public relations organisations.