By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, the member representing Africa on the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI), has challenged the Nigerian media to take the lead in selling good governance within the nation.
Adedoyin gave the recommendation on Saturday in his digital tackle on the inauguration of the Kwara chapter of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
The veteran journalist and former Kwara Commissioner for Information spoke on the theme, “Journalism, Communication and the Imperatives of Good Governance.”
He emphasised the important position of the media in strengthening democracy and guaranteeing that public officers have been accountable to the individuals.
According to him, the media stays the one establishment particularly entrusted with the onerous accountability of holding the federal government accountable for its actions and selections.
He mentioned the Nigerian Constitution recognised the significance of journalism to democracy and assigned the media a constitutional accountability to advertise accountability in governance.
“So critical is journalism to a thriving democracy that our grundnorm creates a pride of place for it.
“Chapter 2 Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, gives the media a constitutional responsibility,” Adedoyin mentioned.
He mentioned the most important problem earlier than Nigerian journalists was to strengthen the foundations of excellent governance by way of balanced and accountable reporting that promoted the ideas of pluralist democracy.
He famous that though politicians and public officers might need tendencies to hide wrongdoing and misconduct, journalists had an obligation to research and expose such practices within the curiosity of the general public.
“While it is true that politicians and public officials have innate predilections for cover up of crimes and misconduct, it is good journalism to strive to expose them in the interest of the public good,” he mentioned.
He nevertheless cautioned that public-interest journalism shouldn’t be misconstrued as an try by the media to turn out to be an institutional opponent of the federal government.
Adedoyin burdened that goal reporting required equity and professionalism.
According to him, the media should acknowledge and report authorities achievements the place they exist, whereas equally exposing failures, coverage shortcomings and misconduct every time they happen.
“Where government performs well, our reportage must reflect this, but where government fails, journalism must also expose the failure of the state,” Adedoyin mentioned.
He maintained {that a} free, fearless and professionally accountable press remained important to sustaining democracy, defending residents’ pursuits and strengthening public confidence in governance.
The former commissioner additionally described communication as indispensable to good governance, noting that efficient communication was mandatory to attach authorities insurance policies and programmes with the wants and expectations of the individuals.
“While governance is the art of translating public authority into public good, communication is the bridge that connects the two,” he mentioned, highlighting the significance of dialogue between authorities and residents.
Earlier, the Chairman of ACSPN in Kwara, Prof. Rasaq Adisa, counseled Adedoyin for his presentation, describing it as a helpful contribution to discussions on journalism, communication and governance.
Adisa mentioned the affiliation would develop the presentation right into a workshop the place communication students and professionals would study the problems raised and make suggestions for bettering media apply and governance.
“You have set an agenda, and we shall turn it to a workshop where scholars will debate it then come up with a communique,” he mentioned.(NAN)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
