A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Olatunji has emphasised the need for the Nigerian media to continue to lead the charge against unjust laws and the violation of citizens’ rights by the government and its agencies.
He gave the charge in a keynote address at the 2023 Annual Lecture of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC), titled “Birthing a New Nigeria: The Role of the Judiciary, Security Agencies, and the Media in a Democratic Society” in Lagos recently.
Olatunji who was installed as the Patron of NAJUC said it is not sufficient to have a civilian or democratic government; the press should remind the government of its manifesto and promises consistently.
The government he said should be held accountable and kept on its toes., adding that “A virile and watchful press is the antidote to bad government.”
While acknowledging that most newspapers have political or ideological preferences, he stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between facts and opinions, reporting and analysis.
He advocated using only trained and professional reporters who possess knowledge of the subject matter and verify sources before reporting.
Olatunji highlighted the need to set the political agenda responsibly, explaining issues without trivialising or sensationalising them, and respecting state secrets to avoid compromising national security.
He also urged the Nigerian Press to lead in propagating and advocating for the sustenance of the rule of law, which serves as the foundation of any successful democratic system.
Olatunji emphasised the need for more investigative journalism in Nigerian media as the fight against corruption can only be won when journalists engage in investigative reporting.
On the issue of fake news and hate speech prevalent on the internet and social media platforms, he urged media organisations to take measures to combat this menace due to the damaging effects of misinformation on the media’s credibility and public trust, citing the 2023 General Elections where the spread of fake news and hate speeches exacerbated ethnic and tribal divisions.
“Media organisations need help fact-checking and validating information due to the multiple online sources available. We all witnessed the devastating effect of the dissemination of fake news and hate speeches into the media space during the recently concluded 2023 General Elections; it only further polarised our nation along ethnic and tribal lines. To my mind, disseminating fake news/hate speeches is a grievous act of terrorism”.
He called for a return to the principles of responsible journalism and fact-checking, emphasising the vital role the Nigerian Press plays in building a strong and united nation.
