September 13, (THEWILL) – The Group managing Director of Daar Communication PLC, Mr Tony Akiotu, has commended Nigerian Journalists, saying that their gallant efforts led to the restoration democracy after many years of military dictatorship in the country.
Akiotu, gave the commendation on Tuesday, while presenting a keynote address at the 2022 Correspondents Chapel of NUJ Akwa Ibom state week held at Roses Regency hotel, Wuye, Abuja, with the theme, “In search of a better Nigeria through Responsible Journalism”.
He recalled that Journalists stood resolutely against military rule and became the heroes of Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.
Presenting the keynote address titled; “The Tragetory of Nigeria media” Akiotu, who was represented by Adebayo Bodurin, group news editor at Daar Communications PLC, said modern day Journalists and their Newspapers too have lived above board in preserving democratic governance in the country.
According to him, “They stood resolutely against military rule and became the heroes of Nigeria`s hard earned democratic freedom established on May 29, 1999. A similar effort facilitated the second Republic in 1979 and the aborted Third Republic in the early 1990s. It has been globally acknowledged that the Nigerian media stood firm in the struggle to restore democracy.”
He noted that notwithstanding, operating under an inclement political atmosphere, which recorded imprisonment, detention, physical elimination, repression, persecution, unjust imprisonment, detention, arrests, seizure of market ready publications and forced closure of media houses, the Nigerian media was resolute in the discharge of its responsibility.
“It remained the last bastion of hope for the people. Journalists in the privately owned newspapers, many of whom survived deprivations including loss of means of livelihood played heroic roles. Some paid the supreme price.The privately owned News Magazines and Newspapers played appreciable roles in the rebirth of hope in our national life after the several decades of military dictatorship.
“Not thinking of wages or remuneration. The journalists put their lives on the line in the struggle for freedom, civil liberties and constitutional rule. Even some government financed Newspapers such as Sketch, Observer etc. Bold stood against dictatorship just like the News, Temp, THE WEEK, TSM, THE SOURCE, AFRICAN GUARDIAN, NEWSWATCH, AFRICAN CONCORD, TELL AND INSIDER.”
Akiotu, however, lamented that even after two decades the plant of democracy is not yet matured stressing that it must be nurtured so that its lofty values can flourish.
He further opined, “The greatest challenge before the media, both print and electronic in Nigeria is how they engage with election coverage in a season of anomie, when things are seemingly no longer at ease and things are falling apart.
“For the media, perhaps the watchword is eternal vigilance. The agenda which the media must champion is the continued existence of the Nigerian nation, the protection of our democratic values, the resistance against arbitrary, autocratic and unconstitutional rule, the upholding of the rule of law, the promotion of mass participation in the entire electoral process, the guarantee of civil rights and liberties, the promotion of universal adult suffrage, the protection and upholding of the mandate of the people, the orderly conduct of the entire electoral process and the installation of credible democratic institutions founded on openness, integrity and transparency”.
He further highlighted that the world cannot afford a failed Nigerian state. “The media has an abiding responsibility to ensure a successful transition from one civilian government to another civilian administration, elected and installed through the instrumentality of our national constitution in February next year. No more, no less”.
Akiotu, appealed to the Media not to undermine public patronage and confidence, by strengthening with unwavering zeal the bond in their own enlightened interest.
“One sure way of achieving this, is the promotion of ethical journalism, to ensure equitable access to all political parties and their standard bearers Credibility, Integrity, Good ethical conduct Fairness, accuracy and balance. Professionalism in handling opinion polls. No endorsement of political parties and their candidates. Avoidance of hate speech and fake news” he enthused.
He also urges Journalists to ensure unyielding desire to promote credible, free, fair, peaceful and popular polls. “Be a watchdog to expose electoral fraud Impose on themselves the task of promoting good governance as well as good democratic practices. Inform, educate and if possible, entertain the voters to freely make informed and right choices at the polls.”
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