The Nigerian press is regarded as the watchdog of the people.
This is because without the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media, the people in this society would have been modern citizens living in a past of many decades behind.
Frankly, information, education, enlightenment and entertainment would have been impossible without the mass media.
The press informs the general public about government policies and programmes for the country.
Again, it educates the masses by virtue of balanced editorial comments and seasonal articles by academic experts, renowned politicians and highly placed journalists.
In the same manner, the press always keeps the people enlightened and warns the nation against imminent danger.
The Nigerian press has assisted the various governments of the federation announce and publish their annual budgets and keeps the public informed of their financial policies for each year
Also, reports of offenders being convicted for various offences appear in newspapers, radio, television among others.
Through the Nigerian press, the activities of politicians, profiteers, hoarders among others have been unfolded which had earned the mass media praise for its bravery and outright condemnation of the enemies of society.
No wonder of recent, the Boko Haram sect has targeted the mass media in the country for its role in disseminating information to the public.
In fact, the Nigerian press is truly the watchdog of the people and requires commendation and not condemnation.
The media throughout Nigeria history have always been in the forefront of the struggle to establish democracy in our land.
They have fought against human rights abuses and in the periods of military rule, they fought for the restoration of democracy and have never given up their strident advocacy for the restoration of democracy.
However, some have argued that since the inception of democracy in 1999, the media has lost its focus, stressing that since the military withdrew, the media seems to let disillusioned, thinking that the fight is over.
In recognizing the crucial role of the media, the makers of the Nigerian constitution had aligned themselves with those who regard the press as the fourth estate of the realm coming after the three arms of government the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
Conversely, it is clear that evil must not be hidden. Wrong must not be condoned. But there should be a fair balance between the good and the bad.
It is sad that today, some media houses and journalists in the country have associated themselves – with one political party or the other, thereby relying on their own likes and dislikes alone in determining what is true and fair as news or comment.
No wonder, in most cases, only stories that have to do with politics or politicians get front-page mention. This practice is sad since there are other important events in the country that are not even covered by journalists.
For instance, going through our local tabloids, you would be surprised the type of headlines and sometimes readers begin to wonder what is happening in our Nigerian press.
By their calling, journalists should note that it is unethical to be partisan. In fact, they should not allow their membership of a political party to influence their judgment in what to report, write and publish. This is sad because politics and independent journalism do not mix.
As a watchdog in a democracy, media should try to ensure that the rest of the society watches the watchdog itself, so that it can continue to be alive to its societal and constitutional responsibilities.
It is assumed that partisanship in journalism is unconstitutional and anti-democratic in itself.
It is against this background that at various fora, mass media practitioners have been urged to do their work strictly in keeping with the ethics of their profession.
That is why, declaring the conference of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Abuja recently, President Goodluck Jonathan urged the journalists in the country to always cross-check information before publishing as to bring out a balanced information as well as not to have any negative effect on the country.
It is therefore necessary to admonish the members of the profession on the need to be more professional and less partisan in the discharge of their professional responsibility.
Also, media should change its orientation and assist in not only ensuring the democratic structure in the country but also sustaining.
In the same manner, it should learn to stop to package rumours but try to embark on serious investigations and not just report the news on the surface level.
It is high time we started using every means to increase the competence of journalists and create a better understanding of functions of mass media.
It should also be dynamic but not sensational, as any form of sensationalism is capable of causing the public to react in a negative manner.
Again, the mass media practitioners as professionals are enjoined to come together, review the past, look at the present and be proactive in respect of the future.
For democracy to take root in this country, both the government and the press should be open- minded and work as partners to avoid making the political mistakes of the past.
Written By: Felix B. I. George
