Promises to Consider Media Tax Relief and Policy Support at Editors’ Conference
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian editors and journalists to uphold their vital role in strengthening democracy and nation-building by reporting boldly, fairly, and responsibly.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 21st Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Tinubu said his administration values the media as a cornerstone of democracy and will consider requests for tax relief and other incentives to sustain a vibrant press.
The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: Role of Editors,” brought together senior journalists, government officials, and policymakers to discuss the future of media and democracy in Nigeria.
President Tinubu praised Nigerian journalists for their resilience and historical role in promoting freedom and accountability, from the anti-colonial era to the struggles for democracy.
“Throughout our history, journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession; it has been an instrument of national awakening,” the President said. “Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy, but with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society.”
Acknowledging the rise of misinformation in the digital age, the President urged editors to remain the guardians of truth and public trust. He emphasized that editorial judgment, balance, and verification must remain the profession’s guiding principles.
President Tinubu also addressed the nation’s current challenges, including insecurity and economic pressures, assuring Nigerians that his government is determined to restore peace, stability, and prosperity.
“Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair,” he said. “The stories we tell ourselves as a nation influence the country we become.”
On the Guild’s appeal for government support, Tinubu said his administration would look into measures such as fiscal incentives, legal protection, and policy frameworks to ensure the media’s sustainability and safeguard press freedom.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the President’s presence at the event as “historic,” being the first time a sitting President has attended the Guild’s annual conference.
The minister highlighted the government’s commitment to press freedom, noting that over a thousand broadcasting stations operate freely in Nigeria.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, no media house has been threatened, gagged, or shut down for expressing dissent,” Idris said.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, urged editors to play a more responsible role ahead of the 2027 general elections. He cautioned that editorial framing and reporting during elections can either strengthen or weaken public trust in democracy.
“When every disagreement is framed as a crisis and every challenge treated as systemic fraud, it deepens distrust,” Uzodimma said. “Editors must protect electoral integrity and national cohesion.”
In his remarks, NGE President Eze Anaba commended President Tinubu’s attendance as a gesture of goodwill toward the media and called for tangible support to sustain journalism in the country.
He proposed tax reliefs, VAT exemptions, and the creation of a Media Development Fund to aid newsroom innovation and digital transformation.
“Editors must defend the sanctity of truth and hold power accountable—not as adversaries, but as partners in the pursuit of national progress,” Anaba said.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between the government, media, and civil society to foster a stronger, united Nigeria.
