Tinubu Never Asked Me to Lie or Harass Journalists, Says Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has stated that President Bola Tinubu has never instructed him to lie, arrest, or harass any journalist regardless of criticism or negative reportage.

Idris made this revelation on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its General Secretary, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, and Deputy President, Mr. Sebastian Abu, in Abuja.

According to the Minister, despite facing negative criticism and alleged character defamation from some journalists and members of the public, President Tinubu has maintained his commitment to press freedom.

"There are times when the media instigate tension, but Tinubu never urged me to alter the narrative, lie, arrest, or harass the perpetrators," Idris stated.

He emphasized that this stance reflects the President's democratic values and respect for the rule of law, adding that "the Federal Government believes that it cannot operate without the media, which is the fourth estate of the realm."

The Minister highlighted his ongoing engagement with media organizations including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NGE, and Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria on issues brought to his attention.

"I have always said that when we do good, praise us, and when we are not doing well or going overboard, tell us constructively so that we can improve," he remarked.

Idris cautioned against using isolated incidents to conclude that the government intends to gag the press, reiterating that the Tinubu administration remains media-friendly and will continue to be so.

The Minister also revealed that President Tinubu's commitment to press freedom led to the establishment of the Media Literacy Centre (MIL) at the National Open University in Abuja by UNESCO, with Nigeria now at the final ratification stage of hosting the center.

"This is a great achievement, because when established, the MIL Centre will bring stakeholders from across the globe to Nigeria," Idris explained. "This will enhance media literacy in our country and checkmate the spread of fake news and issues of misinformation and disinformation in the country and the world at large."

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