“Take terrorists, criminals off your front pages” – FG cautions media

The Federal Government has cautioned media organisations across Nigeria against glorifying criminal activities in their reports.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged journalists, editors, and publishers to prioritise patriotism and national stability by downplaying the activities of terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, particularly on front pages.

Idris made the call on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at a two-day national security summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS).

The summit was themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”

The Minister assured participants that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration remains committed to upholding press freedom and responsible journalism.

“Yes, we have to do our work. We have to report whatever happens,” he said. “But you must know that the best reporter and the best editor is the one who knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building.

“Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave — free publicity.

“It saddens my mind when I see our front pages and headlines giving prominence to the activities of these criminals while underplaying the efforts of our security agencies.”

Idris warned that no media organisation can thrive in an unstable nation, stressing that national security is undermined when misinformation is amplified without verification.

“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored,” he added.

He also highlighted recent achievements by the military and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism and banditry.