- Imo governor urges authorities to defend press freedom
- warns towards political interference, financial pressures and AI-driven misinformation
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has referred to as for the institution of a nationwide media centre in honour of the late media entrepreneur, Raymond Dokpesi, to promote growth journalism, strengthen democratic establishments and advance nationwide growth.
Uzodimma made the proposal on Sunday whereas delivering the keynote lecture on the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc in Abuja.
The governor additionally urged governments in any respect ranges to abandon the notion that essential journalism constitutes an assault on their authority, insisting {that a} free and unbiased media stays indispensable to democratic consolidation and sustainable growth.
He stated the proposed centre would function a hub for analysis into the connection between the media and financial growth, including that he was ready to lead the marketing campaign for its institution.
The governor stated, “The finest tribute we will pay to his reminiscence is to defend that freedom and be certain that the journalism practised inside it stays worthy of public belief.
“I believe that as his mates and associates, we must always take the lead by constructing a nationwide media centre in his honour.
“The centre will be a hub for research on the media and how it can be properly channelled for economic development, or, put simply, for development journalism. I shall be prepared to lead in the campaign for the establishment of this centre.”
Uzodimma described the late Dokpesi, founding father of DAAR Communications, which operates African Independent Television (AIT) and RayPower FM, as a trailblazer whose investments in non-public broadcasting helped increase the house for unbiased journalism in Nigeria.
He recalled that RayPower started industrial broadcasting on September 1, 1994, turning into Nigeria’s first non-public radio station, whereas AIT adopted in December 1996.
According to him, the institution of the 2 media organisations reworked Nigeria’s broadcasting panorama, which had beforehand been dominated by government-owned shops.
“Dokpesi entered that environment and helped to change it for good,” he stated, noting that non-public broadcasting created new alternatives for political dialogue, information dissemination, leisure and public participation earlier than the nation’s return to democratic authorities in 1999.
The governor, nonetheless, cautioned towards romanticising the achievements of unbiased broadcasting, arguing that freedom from authorities possession didn’t mechanically assure editorial independence.
He recognized political interference, industrial pursuits, insufficient remuneration, delayed salaries, harassment of journalists and declining public belief as main challenges confronting the Nigerian media.
Uzodimma stated media independence required greater than freedom from authorities censorship, stressing that journalists should even be shielded from pressures arising from possession pursuits, advertisers, political affiliations and the pursuit of on-line site visitors.
He stated, “Freedom is actually the place to begin. Journalism that operates on the pleasure of presidency can not credibly maintain that authorities accountable.
“For instance, a reporter who is aware of or fears that an inconvenient investigation could lead to detention, the closure of a station, withdrawal of a licence or another type of punishment could resolve to self-censor.
“Yes, censorship does not always require an official directive. Fear can do the work more than any external censor.”
The governor, who acknowledged that politicians typically really feel unfairly handled by journalists, stated such experiences shouldn’t turn out to be grounds for weakening the press.
“Any public officer who wants only favourable coverage is asking the press to serve as his publicity department. Journalism has a different responsibility, and the discomfort that comes with independent scrutiny is part of the price of exercising public power in a democracy,” he stated.
Uzodimma additionally warned that the proliferation of digital platforms and synthetic intelligence had elevated the dangers of misinformation, fabricated content material and declining public confidence in journalism.
He argued that though expertise had made it simpler for people to publish info to massive audiences, entry to digital platforms didn’t mechanically qualify anybody as a journalist.
“Journalism carries an obligation to establish facts, verify information, provide context and accept responsibility for what was published,” he stated.
The governor maintained that skilled journalists should distinguish between factual reporting and deliberate falsehoods, whereas resisting the temptation to turn out to be advocates for most popular political candidates or events.
“The commitment should be to truth, fairness, constitutional order and the public interest, not to the fortunes of a candidate or political party,” he stated.
He additional argued that democratic consolidation required greater than conducting periodic elections, insisting that constitutional authorities might solely turn out to be sustainable when establishments protected residents’ rights, enforced the rule of regulation and permitted peaceable transfers of political energy.
According to him, the media serves as a bridge between democratic accountability and growth by offering residents with the knowledge required to assess authorities efficiency and make knowledgeable political decisions.
“The media drives democratic consolidation, and democratic consolidation drives development. As a matter of fact, democracy cannot be sustained or deepened without the media, and as democracy deepens, so does development,” he stated.
He, nonetheless, cautioned that journalists alone couldn’t resolve each drawback they uncovered, stressing that efficient accountability relied on the willingness of related establishments to examine allegations, prosecute confirmed offences and proper recognized failures.
“A society in which wrongdoing can be exposed but nothing follows may have a noisy press without effective accountability,” he stated.
The governor proposed a three-way partnership involving authorities, media practitioners and residents to strengthen skilled journalism and democratic governance.
He urged governments to regard the media as a accomplice in growth relatively than an adversary, whereas calling on media homeowners and practitioners to uphold moral requirements, enhance investigative reporting and put money into steady skilled coaching.
He additionally challenged residents to confirm info earlier than sharing it, reject divisive narratives and help credible journalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr., urged younger Nigerians, notably first-time voters, to take duty for consolidating the nation’s democracy.
He described the late Dokpesi’s determination to set up RayPower and AIT as an effort to democratise entry to info and provides Nigerians platforms to query these in authority.
Addressing younger voters, he stated: “For a first-time voter, your PVC is not just a piece of plastic. It is your share certificate in the corporate entity called Nigeria. It is your power, your voice and your mandate. Never let anyone convince you that your voice does not matter.”
Dokpesi Jnr. additionally introduced plans to unveil a media incubation and civic-technology initiative on December 1, 2026, aimed toward empowering younger content material creators, civic advocates and first-time voters.
He stated the initiative would equip younger Nigerians with digital instruments to monitor governance, report group growth wants and doc electoral actions in actual time.
“We are moving you from passive consumers of media to active digital architects of our democracy,” he stated.
The DAAR Communications chairman urged political leaders to recognise a free press and an engaged youth inhabitants as important safeguards for democratic stability.
“When the media thrives, democracy is fortified. When democracy is stable, development is inevitable,” he stated.
President of the NIPR Dr. Ike Neliaku, on the event, stated Nigeria has formally begun preparations to host the world’s largest gathering of communication professionals, the “World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026.
The President, who can be the Chairman of the Council of the NIPR), described the World Public Relations Forum as “the World Cup of Public Relations,” noting that Nigeria is prepared to host delegates from 126 nations beneath the umbrella of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
According to him, the discussion board presents a singular alternative for Nigeria to inform its personal story to the world and showcase its cultural, mental, {and professional} excellence in a means that has by no means been carried out earlier than.
“The World PR Forum will convey collectively communication professionals, lecturers, and policymakers from throughout continents.
This is our time to present the world the genuine Nigeria — artistic, resilient, and accountable,” Neliaku stated.
He added that internet hosting the worldwide occasion, together with the 2026 Africa Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference, positions Nigeria because the communication hub of Africa and underscores the nation’s rising popularity in strategic communication and popularity administration.
The NIPR President expressed gratitude to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his steadfast help in serving to Nigeria safe the internet hosting rights for the worldwide discussion board.
“This event is more than a celebration for public relations professionals; it is a national project that gives us the chance to present Nigeria in its true image before the international community,” he famous.
The annual lecture was instituted to maintain the legacy of Dokpesi, who died in 2023, and promote discussions on communication, democratic governance and nationwide growth.
