Media
By Anthony Isibor
A former Minister of Information and Culture, Lia Mohammed, says he is hopeful that through collaboration and mutual respect, government and the media, can forge a pathway that upholds press freedom, while supporting national stability and development.
Lia Mohammed made this known at the International Press Institute Summit held in Abuja, on Wednesday December 11, 2024.
Theformer minister also stated that reducing tension and building mutual trust between the government and the media can also be achieved by establishing open channels of communication for regular dialogue between representatives of both parties.
According to him, they must forge a collaborative relationship with the ultimate goal to create an environment where both entities can fulfill their roles without infringing on each other’s responsibilities.
Speaking on the theme – “Government vs. Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship”, he highlighted some salient issues that influence Government-Media Relations to include the following bellow:
“Misinformation and Fake News: The democratization of access to information through social media has significantly enhanced our democracy by giving voice to the voiceless. However, this development also presents challenges, particularly the rapid spread of fake news. Such disinformation can cause public panic, damage reputations, disrupt social order or even cause a legitimacy crisis for a government. While the government has a vested interest in curbing fake news, the media often perceives such interventions as potential threats to press freedom.
National Security and Public Interest: As I mentioned earlier, the government holds the position that certain types of information, if disclosed, could pose serious risks to national security or disrupt public order, particularly in the context of combating terrorism and banditry. Sensitive details, such as operational strategies or intelligence reports, could be exploited by malicious actors in order to undermine the efforts to safeguard lives and property. On the other hand, the media often argues that transparency is essential to fostering accountability and maintaining public trust. Therefore, striking a balance between these two critical imperatives remains a complex but necessary task in ensuring both security and democratic governance.
Public Trust and Credibility: Trust is central to both government and media credibility. The more that each party can demonstrate its commitment to the public interest, the more productive their relationship can be. Both sides need to work on strengthening public trust, which can reduce the likelihood of tensions escalating into confrontations.
Economic and Political Pressures: Media organizations sometimes operate under economic and political pressures that might influence their editorial choices and news coverage. Financial dependencies, such as reliance on advertisers or sponsors, may lead to prioritization of content that aligns with commercial interests. Similarly, political affiliations or expectations can shape the tone and focus of reporting. On the other hand, government may face pressure to control narratives, often seeking to highlight positive developments in the polity and the economy,” he said.
A.I
Dec. 2, 2024
Tags: Lia mohammed press freedom
