Independent Press Central To Functioning Democracy — Idris

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described a sure-footed, critical, and independent press is the central nervous system of a functioning democracy.

The Minister stated this, on Tuesday, at the second Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Idris, the Special Guest at the event that was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the theme of the conference: “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria,” must be weighed against what happened in the past and if it is happening with the present administration.

“A dialogue on freedom cannot itself be detached from fact.

“It is in that spirit of candour and shared purpose that I stand before you today, not to reel out a list of government achievements, but to present evidence and engage in a critical dialogue about the path we are walking together towards a more accountable and sustainable democracy.

“Let me state without any ambiguity that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu operates on the fundamental principle that a sure-footed, critical, and independent press is the central nervous system of a functioning democracy.

He added that the Tinubu administration has continued to guarantee the proper assurances of the enabling environment necessary for licensed media establishments to thrive and give more voices to our people without ambiguity or fear.

“We, however, acknowledge that challenges persist.

“The balance between national security, combating misinformation, and upholding absolute press freedom is a complex one, navigated by nations across the globe.

“In that precise circumstance, the administration’s core priority was resolutely affirmed: to defend press freedom by defending the integrity of the information space upon which it depends.

“We categorically rejected the old playbook of coercion, which would only have inflamed tensions.

“Instead, we pursued transparency, immediately publishing the full, unadulterated agreement to demonstrate its content had no such provisions, issuing detailed rebuttals, and engaging the public directly.

He said the ultimate, long-term investment is inoculating the society against disinformation by empowering its people.

He thus extended a formal invitation to every organisation to join in its official unveiling in the first quarter of 2026.

He added: “We remain committed to working with the IPI, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the NUJ to review regulatory frameworks, ensuring they protect both free speech and the public good in line with global best practices.

“Distinguished guests and delegates, as one from amongst you who remains true to our shared vision, I leave you with this pledge: I will continue to be an unwavering voice within the Federal Executive Council, championing the cause of a free press and an open society and sustaining our current tempo, moving in the right direction.”