The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on Wednesday called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to adopt fiscal and legal measures to safeguard media operations, warning that a weakened press threatens democracy and national cohesion.
Speaking at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, NGE President Eze Anaba stressed that editors perform a constitutional duty to inform citizens, promote accountability, and hold power to account “as constructive partners, not adversaries.” He warned that high production costs and legal threats are undermining the survival of media houses.
“Our democracy is tested by insecurity, economic hardship, misinformation, and declining public trust. When the press thrives, democracy breathes; when it is stifled, democracy suffocates,” Anaba said, citing Section 22 of the Constitution, which mandates the media to uphold state objectives and hold government accountable.
Anaba presented a five-point rescue package including:
Corporate tax reliefs for 5–10 years to help media organisations stabilise.
VAT exemptions on essential inputs such as newsprint, plates, and broadcast equipment, following models in Canada, India, and South Africa.
Tax incentives to encourage large corporations to advertise in credible Nigerian outlets, reducing reliance on foreign grants.
Low-interest loans via the Bank of Industry or Development Bank of Nigeria to modernise equipment and create jobs.
A media development fund to support digital transition, data journalism, and multimedia storytelling, managed by an independent board to prevent political interference.
Highlighting the economic strain, Anaba noted that a ton of newsprint now costs N1.3–1.4 million, enough for only a day or two of printing. “If the media cannot pay salaries, it cannot help our democracy,” he stressed.
He also called for a legal reset to protect press freedom, including the repeal of laws restricting free expression, and the establishment of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter endorsed by the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary to shield journalists from arbitrary arrests and guarantee access to information.
Under the conference theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors’, and sub-theme, ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027’, Anaba urged editors to rise above division, reject hate speech, and prioritise coverage of underserved communities and conflict zones. “The pen must never be a tool for division, but for healing and bridge-building,” he said.
Tracing ANEC’s evolution from its modest beginnings in 2004 to Nigeria’s largest annual gathering of editors and media leaders, Anaba thanked past NGE presidents and the Presidency for recognising the media’s strategic role. He urged editors to embrace technology responsibly, recommit to fairness, and generate practical solutions to rebuild public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.
The 21st ANEC convened editors, media executives, traditional rulers, and partners for sessions on electoral integrity, countering misinformation, and the economics of independent journalism.
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