Undertake fiscal, authorized measures to maintain media homes alive, Nigerian Editors urge Tinubu, NASS
The Nigerian Guild of Editors on Wednesday urged the Bola Tinubu administration and the Nationwide Meeting to undertake fiscal and authorized measures to maintain the nation’s media homes alive.
The editors warned {that a} weak media imperils Nigeria’s democracy and nationwide cohesion.
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, made the enchantment throughout his opening tackle on the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Convention held on the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The convention had Tinubu in attendance.
Anaba stated editors shoulder a constitutional responsibility to tell residents, deepen accountability and maintain energy to account “as constructive companions, not adversaries,” however can solely accomplish that if their organisations survive crushing production prices and authorized threats.
“Our democracy is examined by insecurity, {economic} hardship, misinformation and declining public belief.
“When the press thrives, democracy breathes; when the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” he instructed Tinubu and different delegates, citing Part 22 of the Structure which mandates the media to uphold the targets of the state and maintain authorities accountable.
He tabled a five-point rescue bundle to the President and lawmakers.
They embrace company tax reliefs for five–10 years to assist media homes stabilise and meet working prices; and VAT exemption on important inputs, resembling newsprint, plates and broadcast gear, “according to practices in international locations like Canada, India and South Africa.”
The Guild additionally sought tax credit to incentivise massive companies to promote in credible Nigerian retailers, boosting investigative reporting and lowering reliance on international grants, low-interest loans via the {Bank} of Trade or the Growth {Bank} of Nigeria to modernise gear and create jobs.
Anaba additionally referred to as for a media growth fund for digital transition, managed by an unbiased board, to assist information journalism and multimedia storytelling whereas insulating newsrooms from political interference.
“The media right this moment is distressed,” the NGE President stated, disclosing {that a} ton of newsprint now prices roughly N1.3m–N1.4m and lasts “only a day or two” in a typical press cycle.
“If the media can not maintain jobs by paying salaries, it can not assist our democracy,” he careworn.
Anaba additionally urged a authorized reset to safeguard press freedom.
He referred to as for the repeal of legal guidelines that inhibit free expression, submission of the Guild’s evaluation to the Minister of Info and Home management, and the creation of a Media Freedom and Security Constitution endorsed by the Government, Legislature and Judiciary to guard journalists from arbitrary arrests and guarantee entry to data.
Framing the convention theme ‘Democratic Governance and Nationwide Cohesion: The Position of Editors’ and sub-theme ‘Electoral Integrity and Belief Deficit: What Nigerians Anticipate in 2027’, Anaba stated editors should rise above division, reject hate speech, and centre underserved communities and battle zones in each day protection to rebalance “urban-centred” information agendas.
He stated, “The pen mustn’t ever be a instrument for division, however for therapeutic and bridge-building.”
He traced ANEC’s evolution from a modest concept in 2004 into Nigeria’s largest annual gathering of editors, media leaders and companions, a discussion board he stated has formed nationwide reflection for over twenty years.
Paying tribute to previous NGE presidents who sustained the platform, Anaba thanked the Presidency for recognising the media’s strategic position in nation-building.
He challenged editors and publishers to embrace expertise with out compromising ethics, recommit to equity and patriotism, and generate “sensible concepts that rebuild public belief and fortify our democracy” forward of the 2027 polls.
“A free, accountable and vibrant press is the lifeblood of any democracy,” he stated, including, “When journalists are revered, protected and granted entry to data, governance turns into extra clear and residents higher knowledgeable.”
The twenty first ANEC introduced collectively editors, previous Guild leaders, senior media executives, conventional rulers and companions, with classes devoted to electoral integrity, countering misinformation and the economics of unbiased journalism.