Tinubu’s government supports press freedom, says Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed the view that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is highly supportive of media freedom. He made these remarks during a visit to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

In his statement, Minister Idris emphasized the importance of adhering to the guidelines set forth by regulatory authorities for all media owners. He noted that the Nigerian press enjoys a high degree of freedom, allowing individuals to establish radio stations, television channels, or newspapers as long as they operate within the boundaries of rules and regulations stipulated by regulatory authorities.

The minister emphasized that he has not observed any instances of the press being stifled or prevented from performing its essential role. He affirmed the government’s commitment to being press-friendly, acknowledging that trust in government policies and programs can only be built when the press has the ability to scrutinize and report on government actions.

Minister Idris highlighted the significant responsibility that comes with press freedom, indicating that while the government supports a free press, it should operate within the confines of the law. He stressed the importance of maintaining a nation that is held together, emphasizing that the freedom to express one’s views comes with the responsibility to ensure those expressions are made in compliance with the law.

The backdrop to this discussion is the recent “final warning” issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to Arise TV, a television station, over derogatory remarks and insults aired on their stations. This action led to accusations that the Federal government was attempting to restrict media freedom and control the narrative in favor of the ruling party.

Philip Shaibu, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that the NBC’s warning to sanction Arise Television News was just the beginning of an effort to stifle press freedom. He claimed that the Tinubu administration was growing increasingly frustrated with the Chicago State University scandal and was preparing for further actions in the future.

Shaibu argued that the NBC, which had previously taken action against a broadcast by TVC, had become more partisan since President Tinubu took office. He accused the NBC of being involved in an attempt to silence the media over the Tinubu certificate scandal, using the powers of the state to suppress reporting on the issue.

In summary, Minister Mohammed Idris asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is supportive of media freedom, emphasizing the importance of responsible reporting within the bounds of the law. However, recent actions by regulatory authorities, such as the NBC’s warning to Arise TV, have raised concerns about press freedom and government influence on media narratives.