Tinubu Vows to Uphold Media Freedom, Respect Divergent Views

•Pledges to review extant policies affecting newspaper industry 

•Acknowledges existing rules hindering local access to newsprint

•Says govt granting waivers for air, road, rail transport systems 

•Moves to reduce price of cooking gas

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday vowed to uphold the freedom of the media as well as respect divergent views, assuring that his administration would look into extant policies affecting the newspaper industry with a view to reworking them.

Speaking at State House, Abuja, during a meeting with members of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Tinubu assured that he would carefully consider the association’s request for a review of policies affecting the newspaper industry. He acknowledged concerns about existing regulations hindering local access to newsprint.

According to a statement issued by the president’s media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said his administration would always uphold media freedom and respect opinions, whether they were adversarial or complimentary.

The statement quoted the president as telling the NPAN members, “I care about what is going on in the country. I thank you for your support and opinions, even the criticism of our government. Without the support of some of you, I will not be standing here as president.

“You have held our feet to the fire, and we will continue to respect your opinions, whether we agree or not. One thing I must say is that I read every paper, various opinions and columnists.”

Speaking on the challenges faced by travellers during the festive season, the president said the federal government was taking measures to alleviate the high cost of transportation by granting waivers to operators in the air, road, and rail transportation systems.

He also said steps were being taken to reduce the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas.

Tinubu said his administration would remain steadfast in, “Reinvigorating, retooling and re-engineering the economy,” citing the decisions of his administration to end the petrol subsidy regime and initiate the ongoing unification of foreign exchange rates.

The president stated, ”I promise you a very transparent government. We will try our best to draw water from a dry well and create a good economic environment that will serve the people.

“The future of our country is clear with committed investments in health, infrastructure, transportation, and education, among others. We have to take care of the poor. If we invest in our own children and leave the children of the poor, the children of neglect will attack your investments.”

Earlier in his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and responsible media landscape in the country.

Idris said, “Our democracy thrives on the principles of transparency, accountability, and the free flow of information. The role of the media, particularly the newspapers, is paramount in upholding these principles.”

He commended NPAN for providing a platform for national discourse and for diverse voices/

Idris implored the association to collaborate with the Tinubu administration through effective dialogue, advancing shared values, and addressing challenges confronting the country.

NPAN President and Chairman of Media Trust, owners of the Daily Trust Newspapers and Trust Television, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, congratulated Tinubu on his election victory and Supreme Court affirmation.

Yusuf raised pressing concerns facing the newspaper industry.

He said, “Our particular concern is the newspaper industry, which employs thousands of Nigerians: journalists, marketers, distributors, administrators and accountants. Newspapers are also part of the building blocks of democracy and reliable sources of information in a world that is overwhelmed by fake news.”

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the information and national orientation minister said NPAN members were at the seat of government to see the president for the first time collectively since he was inaugurated.

According to him, the media remains important in the development of democracy, especially in Nigeria.

He added, “The president thought that it was important that he also met with them. They had a very frank conversation about the future, especially of the newspaper industry and how government can support.

“He also solicited for the cooperation of all media practitioners towards the renewed hope agenda and members of NPAN were also very forthcoming. They heard from the president first-hand, they will reconvene to see how they can give further support to the actualisation of his view of making Nigeria a prosperous nation.”

On specific interventions of the president, the minister said, “Specifically, there is this high cost of newsprint, newsprint is the most important part of publishing. We are looking at that and we will see what can be done.

“The president is also looking at what can be done so that the newspapers will continue to thrive.”

Those on the NPAN entourage included Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; and Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Eniola Bello.

Others were Managing Director of The Nation Newspaper, Victor Ifijeh; Vice Chairman of Leadership Newspapers, Azubuike Ishiekwene; Managing Director of Businessday Newspapers, Frank Aigbogun; Managing Director of New Telegraph Newspapers, Ayodele Aminu; and Executive Secretary of NPAN, Feyi Smith.