Tinubu never asked me to lie, arrest or harass journalists – Minister of Information

The minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that President Bola Tinubu has never asked him to lie, arrest or harass any journalist due to non -constructive criticisms and reports.

Idris declared it while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Guild of the publishers (NGE) led by his secretary general, Onuoha Ukeh, and vice -president, Sebastian Abu, in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, despite the negative criticisms and the alleged defamation of character by some journalists and members of the public, the president had never given him an order to arrest or harass anyone.

“There are times when the media instigate tension, but Tinubu has never urged me to change the narrative, lie, arrest or harass the authors.

“This is because the president is a true democrat that respects the rule of law. Furthermore, the federal government believes that it cannot operate without the media, which is the fourth property of the kingdom.

“We had some people who would have liked to exaggerate, but I have always involved the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NGE, Newspapers Senteers Association of Nigeria and others on issues that are brought to my attention.

“I always said that when we praise us and when we are not going well or go to the sea, I tell us in a constructive way so that we can improve.”

He said that the Tinubu administration is suitable for the media and will continue to be, and therefore the media should not use isolated accidents to conclude that the government wants to come across the press.

The minister observed that Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom led to the institution of the media literacy center (Mil) at the National Open Unity in Abuja from Unesco.

According to Idris, the country has exceeded obstacles and is now in the final ratification phase of Nigeria that the guest gets.

“This is a great result, because, when established, the Mil Center will bring the parts affected by the whole world to Nigeria.

“This will improve media literacy in our country and checks the diffusion of false news and problems of disinformation and disinformation in the country and in the world in general,” said Idris.