Media
By Anthony Isibor
MEDIA experts at the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference, ANEC, in Owerri have stressed the need for accurate reportage, security and media independence in order to realize the objectives of journalism in the country.
Speaking on the theme “2023: Political landscape, credible elections and the role of Editors”, Maureen Chigbo, Publisher of Realnews Magazine Online called on media practitioners to ensure that correct information gets across to the public to enable them make informed decisions.
Chigbo, who is also the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, said that the media should go all out to verify every fact before publishing, particularly before, during and after the general elections.
She urged the public to check the facts and rely on verified media houses and practitioners for accurate reports and take note of pointers to false news.
She stated that such news reports are often inconsistent, repetitive and poorly scripted and warned against reposting of such reports by the public.
“Information is power, and it is my hope that the public has access to true information to make informed choices.
“Because of this, the media should ensure balance and objectivity in their reports and stick to the ethics of the profession to help build a progressive society,” she added.
In the vein, Onuoha Uke, Managing Director of the Sun Newspapers, noted that the media has the responsibility of setting the agenda as the general elections approach.
According to him, editors should be given room to play their roles as key stakeholders in the struggle for good governance by ensuring that independence of the press is not compromised.
He also called for security, free access to election venues and collation centres to ensure transparency and accurate reportage of the entire electoral process.
“The media has played major roles in democracy and has been in the forefront in demanding good governance right from before Nigeria gained independence.
“Journalists have set the pace and have been in charge of molding public opinion and response to topical issues and the present is an auspicious time for setting agenda to fulfill our responsibility of ensuring democracy survives,” he said.
In his remarks, Martin Oloja, Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian Newspaper, identified the need for financial independence in order to have free, fair and objective journalism.
He stated that because of the loss of financial independence, the press cannot function effectively in monitoring the activities of politicians, especially if they rely on them for sponsorship.
He said this severely limits the social responsibility role of the press and reduced accountability on the part of the political class.
“The biggest advertisers are those who we are expected to hold accountable and because proprietors are interested in the survival of their mediums, this role is often cast aside,” he said.
Oloja noted that the expectation of the media’s public has not changed, adding that objectivity, fairness and factual reports remain the watchword.
KN
Tags: ANEC Anthony Isibor GOCOP Maureen Chigbo Onuoha Uke Realnews magazine
