NUJ Press Week Highlights Role of Media
By Bernadette Idalu
Professor John Abhuere, a Professor of Development Economics, today, at the Oba Oguola Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre, No 1, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion Way, GRA, Benin City, during the Edo State Council's 'Press week' taking place from December 14- 18, 2022, with the theme, "2023 General Elections: Overcoming Barriers to Ethical Media Practices," reminded journalists to actualize on their constitutional roles to society based on powers vested on them through section 22 of the Nigerian constitution.
The guest speaker said journalists had to live their roles of societal watchdogs when he hammered on the fact that, "PRESS FREEDOM AND SECTION 22 OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION," of Nigeria are sacrosanct to maintain balance in the search for truth and justice.
He observed that Section 22 compelled, “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media to, at all time, be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people."
Stating that the 2023 general elections were just around the corner, he affirmed that the time was ripe for media owners to employ and give enhanced pay packets to journalists practising in their organizations, as well as the provision of adequate work tools to boost efficiency to eradicate dependence on brown envelopes for sustenance which obliterates the essence of truthful reportage, especially during the election period.
He voiced on the need to save the 2023 election and its promises as the media gains traction through being alive to its duties in the field of play, with the realization that whoever pays the piper dictates its tune. He avowed nonetheless that ethical media practice in Nigeria needs to check the inter and intra barriers to ethical practice within the NUJ, even as he lamented that freedom of expression has been too weak over time or purpose, as politicians have turned the process into an odious affair.
He vented, "We must develop a strong moral sense and apply it in all that we do. The greatest threat to democracy and election holding in Nigeria has been immorality in ethics, political, cultural values and participation which ought to be through power rotation.
"Power shift, zoning, should be returned to the constitution in the interest of peace to avoid controversy. This has become part of our political values and conventions that has kept hope alive for maximum participation in all ethnic groups at the highest political plains to bridge marginalization.
"This is against the imposition of values on society by the ruling class/political elites which has mostly led to divisions. Culture, cost and values should be looked at while effecting change in society."
Chairman, Edo State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, in response to the theme of the press week urged Journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession as the 2023 general election beckons.
He told them to balance reports before publishing. For the 2023 election, he warned them not to, "Go about announcing results through social media to prevent societal harm as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is the only body vested with powers to announce results."
He pleaded with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to give adequate security to journalists before, during and after the election
As part of activities marking his administrations one year in office, by December 17, 2022, be said there will be a showcase of achievements, and the presentation of, "Certificates of service," to past council chairmen.
Aside the lecture, there was a round table discussion and the book launch, "Nigeria and the dilemma of leadership - An X-ray of Chief Tony Enahoro's perspective," by Mr. Eubaldus Enahoro.
Against the background and need for journalists to keep safe in the field of duty, Dapo Olorunyomi in his introductory pages on the, "Press freedom" training manual, stated that from 2018- 2021, "No fewer than 192 verified attacks were carried out against the press, representing an average of 48 attacks per year, and an annual death of at least one person out of every 27 attacks. Transcending the average, Abuja had three times more deaths than any of the 36 states. Till date, 2019 still had the highest number of attacks at 68, which is 20% of the total recorded attacks...between 2019- 2021, recorded attacks dropped by 55% and arrests declined by 68%, from 22 to 7."
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