Analysts observe that the role of the media in shaping the direction of society is strategic and unique.
They note that journalists, particularly the editors who are the gatekeepers in various media organisations, have a great role to play in promoting national unity, peace and harmony, so as to enhance the socio-political and economic growth of the country.They also observe that the role of the media in this regard, perhaps, led to the choice of the theme of the 10th All Nigerian Editors Conference, hosted recently by the Katsina State Government.
The conference, which has “Credible Elections and Good Governance: Role of the Editor’’ as its theme, attracted more than 250 editors from various media outfits across the country.
Described as the largest gathering of editors, academics, human rights activists and other related professionals in recent times, the conference was convened by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) between Aug. 27 and Aug. 30.
It was attended by Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Gov. Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, Chairman, Jaiz Bank and Malam Muhammed Garba, National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among others.
The conference explored and exchanged ideas on how best to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting credible and acceptable elections in 2015.
It called on governments at all levels to entrench good governance and address the current security challenges, with a view to creating an environment that is conducive to the country’s development.
Setting the tone for discussions, Mutallab, in his speech, said that Nigerian editors were the key to the success or otherwise of the 2015 general elections.
“I wish to open this part of the discourse by reiterating that the editors, who are the gatekeepers in our various media organisations, hold the key to the conduct of credible elections in 2015 as well as the movement towards good governance,’’ he said.
He stressed that the responsibility of nurturing and deepening democracy rested on the shoulders of the editors “as the egg heads in our country’s information and communication channels. This probably informs the remark by former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson that the press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man and improving him as a rational, moral and social being,’’ he added.
Describing the editor as the gatekeeper and mediator of contents between a news medium and the public, Mutallab said that editors played a strategic role in shaping whatever news and information the public received.
According to him, the editor faces the task of trying to strike a balance between the ethics of the journalism profession and the economic interests of his or her publisher.
Nevertheless, Senate President David Mark argued that journalism entailed a high degree of public trust, adding that editors, as the gatekeepers, should always ensure balance in their reports.
Represented by Sen. Mijitapha Muhammad, his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mark advised journalists to handle issues relating to national interest and national security with utmost care.
Mr. Femi Adesina, the President of NGE, who conceded that the media had an important role to play in promoting the success of the coming elections, however, underscored the need for INEC to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
“In 2015, we want nothing less than free, fair and credible polls; we want elections that are not only free, but also seen to be free; elections that are not only fair but also applauded as fair,’’ he said.
All the same, Malam Muhammed Garba, the NUJ National President, urged governments to intensify efforts towards protecting journalists, while discharging their constitutional responsibilities.
He said that the call became somewhat imperative in view of the increasing wave of attacks on journalists by political thugs.
He, however, urged journalists to key in to the NUJ insurance scheme, noting that only 10 journalists had so far benefited from the scheme nationwide.
Besides, Garba said that journalists ought to be properly guided on how to ensure fairness in their reportage of the forthcoming elections.
In his view, Chief Osoba, who is also a veteran journalist, expressed optimism that a new Nigeria would emerge after the 2015 elections, noting that INEC had started initiating measures that would ensure credible elections.
Nevertheless, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that insecurity, inadequate funding, negative attitude of the political class and apathy of the citizens toward active participation in political matters could hinder the success of the elections.Represented by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Jega also identified the delay in the amendment to the legal framework of elections such as the constitution and the electoral law as an another challenge.
He, however, called on the government and other stakeholders to cooperate with INEC in efforts to conduct successful polls, assuring the public that the commission would consolidate on the gains of the 2011 elections.
He said that INEC had prepared well for the conduct of the 2015 elections, adding that its programmes were strictly being implemented.
In a communiqué, jointly signed by the NGE President, Femi Adesina and the NGE Secretary, Mr Isaac Ighure, the participants resolved to establish an acceptable code of conduct for the coverage of the elections.
They, however, expressed concern that the rising wave of insecurity, insurgency and kidnappings across the country might affect the coming elections.
They urged editors to continue to promote free and fair elections, insisting that such efforts would advance and sustain democratic culture in the country.
Their communiqué stressed that the media must also set an acceptable performance index to gauge the performance of the governments at all levels in efforts to provide basic amenities and infrastructure as well as good governance.
It also called on the government to ensure adequate funding of INEC to enable the commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond.
Observers, however, insist that the media should adjust its agenda-setting role by adopting development or people-centred journalism.
They believe that this will enable the citizens to set their own agenda, rather than allowing the media and the politicians to set the agenda.
They, nonetheless, express the hope that the media will continue to expose electoral malpractices and other forms of corruption in the country.
Adamu is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
