WHEN President Bola Tinubu charged editors to uphold the highest standards of responsible journalism to strengthen democratic governance and promote national cohesion, it was far more than a routine presidential charge. His words at the 2025 annual conference of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) in Abuja carried a deeper, almost sacrosanct tone; one that speaks directly to the survival, stability, and flourishing of our democracy.
At the event themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” President Tinubu underscored the important role of the media; from its early years of challenging colonial injustice to keeping hope alive during the dark years of military dictatorship, when many journalists endured intimidation and detention, and some, like the founding Editor-In-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa, paying the supreme price.
Yet, it does appear that journalists have, since the return of democracy in 1999, rested on their oars. And as the President reminds us, freedom secured through struggle is never self-sustaining; it demands constant vigilance and a conscientious exercise of responsibility. Even more worrisome is that technological advancements, while democratizing access to information, have also enabled many to throw caution to the wind, inflaming rather than soothing, exaggerating rather than educating, and blackmailing where they should be informing. This is precisely where the role of editors becomes not just important, but indispensable.
Under the guise of criticism, many public discussions have become laced with incendiary analyses, which can erode national cohesion. A growing wave of cynicism now breeds mistrust and despair, weakening the very foundations of the society we all aspire to improve. Social media, despite its many advantages, has become a fertile ground for the circulation of unverified claims and, in many cases, outright falsehoods. These are directed not only at government institutions, officials, policies, and programmes, but also at anything capable of inspiring goodwill towards the country. This is a far cry from what responsible journalism stands for.
We, therefore, appreciate the President’s timely reminder of the need for editors, those often unsung gatekeepers, agenda setters, and shapers of public narratives, to prioritise national interest with verification as their anchor and balance as their guide. They must remain ever conscious that the mandate they bear as the Fourth Estate holds the power either to tear down our society or to help build a better, more cohesive one.
Granted, the nation is passing through one of its most turbulent periods, yet the silver linings remain visible through the challenging but necessary reforms aimed at placing the economy on a stronger footing, restoring macroeconomic balance, encouraging investment, and rebuilding confidence under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Still, nation-building demands collective responsibility, and all hands, including those of editors, must be on deck to help shape a climate of reason, stability, and unity.
But while so much is expected from editors, it is equally important for the government to create a more conducive environment for them to perform their sacred duties as true partners in progress. Many editors and journalists’ today work without decent salaries, lack comfortable housing, or cannot afford even modest means of transportation, among other necessities. To ameliorate their plight and reduce their burdens, special welfare packages, such as housing support and health insurance, should be instituted to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities with dignity, security, and professionalism.
In the end, a more cohesive Nigeria is one where opportunities are abundant, and every citizen is empowered to contribute meaningfully to our socio-political and economic development. Only then can we build a nation that is not just sustained, but strengthened by the collective aspirations and responsibilities of its people.
