The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to introduce fiscal and legal reforms to rescue Nigeria’s struggling media industry, warning that a weakened press poses a threat to democracy and national stability.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, NGE President Eze Anaba said editors remain constitutionally mandated to hold power accountable but can only do so if their organisations are economically viable and legally protected.
“When the press thrives, democracy breathes; when the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” Anaba said, referencing Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the media to uphold state objectives and demand accountability.
Anaba presented a five-point rescue proposal to the government, including corporate tax reliefs for five to ten years, VAT exemptions on newsprint and broadcast equipment, and tax credits to encourage local advertising in Nigerian outlets. He also called for low-interest loans through the Bank of Industry and a Media Development Fund for digital transformation, managed by an independent board free from political interference.
He lamented the soaring cost of production, revealing that “a ton of newsprint now costs between N1.3 million and N1.4 million and lasts barely two days in most print operations.”
“If the media cannot keep jobs by paying salaries, it cannot help our democracy,” he warned.
The NGE president further called for the repeal of restrictive laws, the establishment of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter endorsed by all arms of government, and measures to prevent the harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists.
Framing the conference theme, “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” Anaba urged journalists to promote unity and responsible reporting, saying, “The pen must never be a tool for division, but for healing and bridge-building.”
