Tinubu Calls for Ethical Journalism, Warns Against Misinformation and Deepfakes

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists and media organisations to uphold professionalism by choosing “substance over sensation” and “credibility over clickbait,” warning against the growing dangers of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in the digital age.

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Speaking on Thursday at the maiden State House Media Dinner held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom while stressing that freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility.

The President described the media as an indispensable pillar of democracy, noting that government and the press are democratic partners despite often occupying opposing roles.

“Government exists to serve the people through leadership, policy and public service. The media exists to serve society by watching those entrusted with power, asking difficult questions and holding government accountable,” he said.
Tinubu, who described himself as “an apostle of a free press,” said he had consistently defended media freedom throughout his public life and would continue to do so. However, he cautioned journalists against becoming “willing couriers of falsehood or unverified information” capable of undermining national security and public confidence.

Expressing concern over the increasing spread of misinformation, deepfakes, voice and facial cloning, the President urged journalists to prioritise facts over speculation.

“We live in an era where misinformation and disinformation travel faster than facts. The media must choose fact over falsehood. The media must choose substance over sensation.

The media must choose credibility over clickbait and the endless race for followers, likes and viral outrage,” he said.

Tinubu noted that while press freedom remains fundamental to democracy, it should not be mistaken for the freedom to defame or deliberately mislead the public.
“Rights come with responsibilities. Public trust is earned through fairness, professionalism, accuracy and integrity,” he stated, adding that existing laws, including the Cybercrimes Act, were designed to protect citizens from malicious falsehoods, cyberstalking and identity theft rather than weaken press freedom.
Reflecting on his decades in public life, the President said he had become one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised politicians and recalled how conflicting media reports often shaped public perception during election campaigns.
He questioned whether some media organisations were doing enough to provide context and analysis rather than pursuing sensational headlines.
Despite acknowledging the natural tension between the government and the media, Tinubu said such rivalry was healthy for democracy because it ensures accountability.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and press freedom as enshrined in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Freedom of Information Act.
The President also used the occasion to highlight the achievements of his administration, saying economic reforms were beginning to yield positive results through improved public revenue, stronger foreign reserves, renewed investor confidence, increased investment in the oil and gas sector, stock market growth and ongoing fiscal and tax reforms.
On security, he said military operations had intensified across the country, leading to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of numerous hostages and the recovery of previously threatened communities.
While acknowledging that security challenges persist, Tinubu said Nigeria had moved from merely reacting to threats to systematically degrading criminal networks.
He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between the government and the media based on professionalism, mutual respect and a shared commitment to national development.
“Let us replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Let us replace sensationalism with professionalism. Let us replace the pursuit of outrage with the pursuit of truth. Together, let us continue building a nation where truth matters, accountability thrives, democracy flourishes, and every Nigerian has reason to believe in the promise of our country,” the President said.