President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that tension between government and the media is both inevitable and essential to democratic governance, saying scrutiny by the press remains indispensable to holding leaders accountable.
Speaking at the inaugural Presidential Dinner with the State House Press Corps (SHPC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said the government and the media should see themselves not as adversaries but as partners working in the service of democracy.
“Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy. Yes, there is tension between the government and the press, but that is the nature of democracy. The government must act; the media must watch. The government must explain; the media must question when necessary. It is this healthy tension that strengthens our Republic.”
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom but stressed that constitutional liberties must always be exercised with professionalism, responsibility and the overriding national interest.
He cautioned journalists against becoming channels through which terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups spread fear and propaganda.
“The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers. We must protect our nation.”
