President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to avoid giving publicity to terrorists, bandits and kidnappers through their reporting.
The President made the appeal on Thursday, July 2, during the maiden State House Press Corps Presidential Dinner held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said the media has an important role in strengthening democracy but warned against reporting that could inadvertently promote the activities of criminal groups or weaken national security.
“The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers.
“We must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. If we do, we will have no safe space left, especially at a time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralizing thousands of criminal elements, and rescuing hostages.
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“The media should not become an amplifier for those who wish to harm us.
“The government must act, the media must watch, the government must explain, and the media must question,” Tinubu said.
The President stressed that while the media should continue to hold government accountable, it also has a responsibility to ensure its reporting does not aid those seeking to destabilise the country.
His remarks come as Nigeria continues efforts to combat insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping and armed banditry across several parts of the country.
The relationship between national security and media reporting has remained a recurring subject of public debate, with authorities calling for responsible journalism while media organisations continue to emphasise press freedom and the public’s right to information.