Dr Shakira Oluwatoyin Madein, former Accountant-General of the Federation, has emphasized the crucial role of journalists in protecting democracy and promoting public accountability in Nigeria. Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Madein stressed that the media is an indispensable pillar of democracy, responsible for providing citizens with accurate information to make informed decisions and hold elected leaders accountable.
The anniversary celebration, themed “Truth, Trust and the Press: Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism,” featured Madein as the keynote speaker. She acknowledged the contributions of journalists to Nigeria's political development and democratic journey, tracing the evolution of journalism in the country to the establishment of Iwe Irohin in Abeokuta. However, Madein expressed concern over the challenges confronting contemporary journalism, particularly the pressure to break news ahead of competitors, often at the expense of accuracy and credibility.
Madein urged journalists to exercise restraint during elections, warning against practices such as promoting vote-buying, premature declaration of election results, and amplification of unverified information. She also advised journalists to scrutinize the performance of elected leaders beyond election periods and approach their duties with humility and honour. Furthermore, Madein called on the public to support credible media organizations, question sensational reports, and demand evidence before sharing information.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, also spoke at the event, identifying weak institutional accountability and inadequate enforcement of professional standards as challenges confronting journalism in Nigeria. Ojajuni called on regulatory bodies to demonstrate greater commitment to enforcing established rules and guidelines, while encouraging continuous training and retraining of media practitioners to improve their professional competence.
The Chairman of the NUJ, Ogun State Council, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, emphasized the need for journalists to choose truth over access and independence over survival, warning that the failure of the press could undermine democracy. Olanrewaju called for urgent structural reforms in the profession, including stricter enforcement of ethical standards, elimination of quackery, and protection of journalists against financial vulnerabilities.
The anniversary programme featured a panel discussion on media-government relations, the sacrifices and achievements of journalists, and the responsibility of the press in promoting accountability and protecting democratic values. The event also included the investiture of distinguished personalities in recognition of their contributions to journalism and public service, as well as the commencement of work on a proposed building within the Iwe Irohin Press Centre premises.
Key points
- Dr Shakira Oluwatoyin Madein urges Nigerian journalists to prioritize credibility, ethical standards, and editorial independence.
- CP Bode Ojajuni identifies weak institutional accountability and inadequate enforcement of professional standards as challenges confronting journalism.
- Comrade Wale Olanrewaju calls for urgent structural reforms in the profession to restore public confidence in the media.
