Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reassured both international and local media that the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not harass or intimidate journalists.
Speaking during a visit by a delegation from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to his office on Thursday, the minister stressed that the Tinubu administration is committed to upholding press freedom.
Idris emphasized the need for the media, both within Nigeria and abroad, to ensure fairness, accuracy, and objectivity in their reporting. He urged international media organizations to practice due diligence in portraying the full picture of Nigeria, noting that while the country has its challenges, there are many positive developments that should not be overlooked.
“We will also urge you to continue to balance your stories to hear our own side of the story,” he said, highlighting that Nigeria is on a path of gradual progress toward prosperity.
The minister also pointed out that there have been no reports of harassment against journalists working for international media in Nigeria. He reiterated that the government’s policy is to allow all news organizations to operate freely without fear of molestation.
Idris further praised the BBC for relocating its Hausa Service studio from London to Abuja, which has provided employment for about 200 Nigerians. He also commended the BBC for its efforts in building the capacity of journalists in public media organizations and encouraged the corporation to extend similar initiatives to private media outlets.
In his response, BBC Director of Global News and Deputy CEO, Jonathan Munro, expressed his pleasure at the BBC’s strong presence in Nigeria, noting that around 30 million people in the country access their news services every week. Munro also highlighted the BBC’s expanded multimedia offerings in Nigeria, including broadcasts in Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba to better reach the diverse population.
