President Bola Tinubu has underscored the role of the journalism profession in actualising the June 12 struggles, which culminated in the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria.
Tinubu said these collective struggles largely informs his affinity with the media which remains unblemished till date.
Tinubu spoke through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohamned Idris at the 70th Anniversary Gala, Award Night, and Book Presentation of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, held weekend at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
According to Idris, the Nigerian President is not just a friend of the media but one whose democratic credentials were shaped in solidarity with Nigeria’s most courageous journalists.
“From the trenches of the June 12 struggle to the presidency, his affinity with the press remains unmatched.”
The President, however, seized the forum to advise media professionals on the need to project Nigeria’s democratic gains and progress stories positively as it could help in consolidating the nation’s 26-year democratic journey and foster civic confidence in public institutions.
According to him, the media must begin to take the lead in telling the story of Nigeria’s democratic achievements, in governance reforms, infrastructure growth, civic engagement, and socio-economic development.
Idris, however, bemoaned the spate of fake news, disinformation, and the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence on journalism practice.
He warned,“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”.
He revealed plans by the Federal Government, in partnership with UNESCO, to establish a world-first Category-2 Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja, which is projected to be a landmark initiative aimed at promoting media responsibility and literacy in the digital age.
Idris noted that when fully operational, the Institute will serve as a transformative hub for building ethical journalism and informed citizenship in Nigeria”.
The Minister informed participants of government’s willingness to partner with the NUJ on matters of journalists’ welfare, digitisation, gender inclusion, and institutional support.
Meanwhile, elder statesman and veteran journalist, Chief Olusegun Osoba, urged the Federal Government and NUJ leadership to take proactive steps in tackling the menace of fake journalism in Nigeria.
Osoba cautioned that the credibility and future of the profession are at risk, especially if impostors continue to undermine professional standards.
He noted that NUJ remains the mother body describing other affiliates of NUJ as “club” .
Citing his own transition from analog to digital journalism, Osoba urged practitioners to embrace innovation. “I was once an analog journalist, but today I can proudly tell you that I am a digital reporter. Change is inevitable. Journalists must adapt to survive.”
He encouraged the media to stand firm against misinformation, uphold truth and public accountability, and honour the legacy of fallen heroes of the press. “Our profession is under siege from partisan interference and the erosion of ethical values. But we must continue to stand firm on the side of fairness and public interest.”
Meanwhile, the NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya described 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,” he said. “It is a rallying cry for the future we envision a future rooted in ethical journalism, responsible innovation, and unrelenting advocacy for press freedom.”
He recalled how the Union, founded on March 15, 1955, began as a platform to advocate for journalists’ welfare but evolved into a powerful institution at the forefront of national discourse and democracy.
Abdullahi described the NUJ’s Platinum Jubilee as a historic moment of celebration, reflection, and renewed commitment to defending the role of journalism in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
