By Nafisat Makinde
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the pivotal role of the Nigerian media in fostering national unity, strengthening democracy, and shaping the country’s future.
Speaking at the 70th Anniversary Gala of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Tinubu urged journalists to recommit to ethical journalism and nation-building.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not just a friend of the media, but one whose democratic credentials were shaped in solidarity with Nigeria’s most courageous journalists,
” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said, representing President Tinubu.
“The media must take the lead in telling the story of Nigeria’s democratic achievements, in governance reforms, infrastructure growth, civic engagement, and socio-economic development,” Idris added.
He highlighted the growing threats of fake news, disinformation, and the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence on journalism practice, saying,
“The rise of generative AI and deepfakes poses a direct challenge to credible journalism.
In this era, ethical journalism is not just important, it is essential.”
The Federal Government, in partnership with UNESCO, is establishing a world-first Category-2 Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja to promote media responsibility and literacy in the digital age.
“When operational, this Institute will serve as a transformative hub for building ethical journalism and informed citizenship in Nigeria,” Idris announced.
NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya hailed the Union’s 70-year journey as a testament to professionalism, patriotism, and the power of journalism to shape national development. “Our 70th anniversary is more than just a commemoration of our past… It is a rallying cry for the future we envision – a future rooted in ethical journalism, responsible innovation, and unrelenting advocacy for press freedom.”
Veteran journalist Chief Olusegun Osoba called on the Federal Government and NUJ leadership to tackle the menace of fake journalism in Nigeria, urging them to “ensure we now have an updated, verifiable database of genuine members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.”
