Shield the media from big tech firms exploiting our contents without compensation – Aigbogun pleads with Tinubu

Frank Aigbogun, publisher and editor-in-chief of BusinessDay Newspapers, on Friday, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to help intervene to protect the jobs of journalists in Nigeria and the industry as a whole from big tech companies that use editorial content sourced from Nigerian media without compensation.

Aigbogun, who is also president of the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), made the plea, while speaking on behalf of the Nigeria media industry, at the State House, Abuja, at a breakfast meeting hosted by President Tinubu, for the leadership of the Nigerian media, comprising members of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.

Aigbogun, who commended President Tinubu for maintaining his longstanding cordial relationship with the media, also appealed to the President for intervention on import tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman, in a statement, noted that “Aigbogun also called on the Federal Government to intervene to protect the jobs of journalists in Nigeria and the industry as a whole from big tech companies that use editorial content sourced from Nigerian media without compensation.”

President Bola Tinubu in his response, assured that he would act on the requests, but however, challenged the media industry to hold states and local governments to account for the huge resources they have been receiving from the Federal Government.

Tinubu reiterated that his administration took the bold decision to reform the economy in 2023, to save Nigeria from total collapse.

Read also: New tax laws key to Nigeria’s revenue growth, economic stability, says Aigbogun

Speaking further on the challenges faced by the media industry, the President promised to address issues of tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to empower the media industry to discharge its constitutional role effectively.

He also commended the media owners, editors and journalists for their commitment to informing, educating and keeping citizens abreast of developments, as well as providing employment and livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians.

He stated that as a responsible leader, he needed to take appropriate decisions at the right time, adding that anything to the contrary amounted to failure.

He also said that his administration had to take the hard but critical decisions to save the nation from bankruptcy.

“Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time. Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given the job. So, I have to do it. But if anybody tells you it’s easy, it’s a lie,” he said.

The President also commended the media owners for their criticisms which he said challenged and inspired him at those critical moments.

“I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration. You challenged me. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me at a critical moment in my life.

“But having asked for the job and got it, I can’t look back other than to make corrections as I move along. We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink.

“Can you imagine a nation that owes airlines for ticket reimbursements and faces galloping exchange rates and inflation?

“Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that we are back from the brink,” he further stated.

On the requests for his intervention on tariffs affecting the media industry, President Tinubu said: “We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon. What I cannot report back here is whether I took action in the areas that affect you. But if I missed that, I will go back to rectifying whatever was necessary.”

He commended the media for its constructive remarks and criticisms, adding that as an ardent reader of Nigerian newspapers, he accepted all in good faith since “all of us want the best for this nation.”

President Tinubu called on the media to also demand accountability, development and service from other tiers of government, as federal government reform policies have made more funds available to the federating units.

Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, in his remarks, expressed confidence in the President’s strength of character, resilience, and visionary leadership, assuring him that the Nigerian media have high expectations for his administration’s ability to steer the nation toward lasting progress.

The Minister charged media practitioners to continue to discharge their constitutional role with responsibility while holding the government at all levels accountable to the people.

Olusegun Osoba, grand patron of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), commended President Tinubu for the bold steps his administration has taken, introducing transformative policies geared towards transforming the nation’s economy.

Osoba lauded the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window Policy, both of which are capable of increasing the nation’s revenue profile.

He lauded the President for charging the governors to ensure that the resources they receive through the monthly federal allocation are used to improve the lives of citizens at the grassroots.