President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the growth of social media has turned every Nigerian into a potential publisher, creating a breeding ground for misinformation and fake news across the country.
Tinubu made the statement on Wednesday during the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja.
He noted that the media must remain a stabilising force in an era where information spreads rapidly and often without verification.
“The freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise.
“A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,” he stated.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” brought together editors, senior journalists, and policymakers to discuss how the media can promote unity amid Nigeria’s challenges.
Tinubu commended the Nigerian press for its historic role in promoting justice and democracy, recalling how journalists “endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good.”
However, he warned that the digital era has amplified misinformation, stressing that the role of editors has become more crucial than ever.
The President urged editors to be constructive and fair in their criticisms of government policies, maintaining professionalism and national interest above all.
He said, “As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted. The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty.
“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion. Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount.
“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation.
“Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle and professional judgement must be your guide.
“I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society.”
In recent months, social media has become the primary arena for public commentary in Nigeria, often fueling misinformation. The Department of State Services (DSS) recently charged a citizen, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, with six counts for allegedly calling for a coup on X.
