The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerian journalists to prioritise national stability by de-emphasising coverage of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Thursday at a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with the Department of State Services in Abuja.
The summit had the theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
Idris said while the Tinubu administration remains committed to press freedom, responsible journalism must avoid glorifying crime.
“Yes, we have to report whatever happens, but the best editor is the one that knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building. Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave for, free of charge,” he said.
The Minister noted that without a secure country, the media itself cannot operate. He urged editors to celebrate the sacrifices of security personnel instead of giving free publicity to insurgents.
He added that beyond military operations, government is tackling root causes of insecurity. Over 1.3 million students are now accessing higher education through NELFUND, and government is working on enhanced welfare packages for media workers.
NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya, said the summit was conceptualised to foster closer ties between journalists and security agencies.
He commended the DSS under Director General Adeola Ajayi for improved relations with the press.
President of the Nigeria Chapter of IPI, Musikilu Mojeed, said security and press freedom are not competing values. “A democratic society requires both. Security without accountability risks abuse, while freedom without security cannot be sustained,” he stated.
The summit was attended by heads of security agencies, past NUJ presidents, and executives of media and PR bodies.
FG Urges Journalists To Deprioritise Crime Reports, Focus On Nation Building
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