The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to media organisations over what it described as “reckless reporting” that threatens national security and stability.
Speaking yesterday at a press conference at the National Press Centre, Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed concern over a pattern of what he termed as “insidious and inciting publications” by the Daily Trust newspaper.
Minister Idris underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to media freedom and free speech under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, noting that the Government has been tolerant of criticism and has upheld citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. He highlighted that however, some media entities have been exploiting this freedom, pushing narratives that could destabilise the country.
“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open relationship with the media, in line with the President’s democratic principles. Despite our tolerance, we are alarmed by the reckless reporting and statements from some media organisations, particularly the Daily Trust,” Idris said.
The Minister cited several instances of what he called “deliberate misinformation” by the newspaper, including misleading reports on the government’s stance on the Niger Republic coup, allegations of foreign military bases in Nigeria, and a false claim about renaming a major expressway in Abuja.
The most recent accusation, which Idris called “despicable and wicked,” involved a fabricated story about the government signing a deal to promote LGBTQ rights.
Idris emphasised that these reports have not only been baseless but also aimed at inciting public unrest. “We did not envisage that Daily Trust could descend to the level of falsely accusing the Government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ rights, a claim that is completely unfounded and misleading”, he stated.
According to him, “Despite these provocations, the Government has refrained from taking severe measures and remains committed to handling the matter through lawful channels.
He further said, “The Government plans to lodge a formal complaint with the Newspaper Proprietor’s Association of Nigeria, (NPAN), Ombudsman and pursue legal action against the newspaper.
“We continue on the honourable path of civility and the rule of law. While past governments might have taken more severe actions, we are committed to ethical governance and legal recourse”, Idris stressed.
Idris reiterated the Government’s support for ethical journalism and free speech, while also warning that it would not tolerate fake news and disinformation that could harm the nation’s peace and security.
