Media independence must be exercised with discernment, says Mohammed Idris

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says the independence of the media is vital to democracy, but it must be exercised with discernment and responsibility.

Speaking at the 21st Annual Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) on Wednesday in Abuja, Idris said the media landscape is very delicate, calling on the media to uphold balance in the discharge of its duty. 

“We all must come together to walk this delicate path. Society must be kept together while also holding leaders accountable,” he said.

“The media’s independence is vital, but with it comes the responsibility to exercise discernment—to know what to report and what not to report.

“Let us work together to tell the Nigerian story with truth, values, and an unyielding belief in the promise of our great nation. Media and information literacy are foundational to any viable democracy.”

Idris described the Nigerian media as “the last man standing in the defense of democracy”.

He noted that despite challenges bedeviling the fourth estate of the realm, it has remained vibrant in nation-building discourse and safeguarding democratic values. 

“It is on your vigilance that the country’s democratic values rest. You hold an enormous responsibility not only to hold government to account but also to guard against actions that could be injurious to our society,” the minister said. 

He reaffirmed his confidence in the media as the fourth estate of the realm, adding that President Bola Tinubu is in “full support” of the media and recognises its pivotal role in national development.

“For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a situation where the president is directly engaging with the media in a way that signifies respect for your work and your indispensable role in democracy,” Idris said. 

GRANTS, TAX INCENTIVES FOR MEDIA ORGANISATIONS 

Eze Anaba, president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, who spoke on the theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors’, appealed for the intervention of the federal government in the funding of the media. 

He lamented that while the operational cost of running a media outlet has gone up, revenue has continued to dwindle, leading to struggles in the payment of the salaries of media practitioners. 

“Most newspapers and television houses today cannot pay salaries, not because they are not doing well, but because the cost of producing content is prohibitive,” he said

“A single newspaper can cost up to 1.3 to 1.4 million Naira monthly just for production materials like ink and plates, which are largely imported.

“Your administration has worked hard to provide jobs, but if the media cannot pay its workers, it cannot help strengthen our democracy. That is why we look to you, Your Excellency, for intervention to strengthen the media industry.”

He advocated for fiscal support models as are obtainable in countries like Canada, India, and South Africa. 

This model, according to Anaba, includes grants and tax incentives to sustain media houses over the long term.

The NGE president called for the creation of digital transition and innovation grants to enable media organisations to upgrade equipment, embrace digital media, and enhance their capacity to deliver credible election coverage, national dialogue, and rural community development. 

He also asked for the establishment of safety nets, such as low-interest loans for the media, to enable them to operate without crippling financial burdens.

Anaba said a free, responsible, and vibrant press deserves targeted fiscal incentives and legal protections to safeguard press freedom. 

Anaba noted the critical role of editors as custodians of information and architects of public opinion.

“Democratic governance flourishes only when citizens are well informed and when the media acts as a credible independent watchdog,” the NGE president said.  

“Editors must defend the sanctity of truth, insist on transparency, and hold governments accountable, not as adversaries, but as constructive partners in national progress.” 

He said that the media has a role in fostering national cohesion by promoting tolerance, shared values, and avoiding using the pen as an instrument of division or hate.