Media professionals must protect democracy in reporting – Gbajabiamila
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instructed media professionals to protect Nigerian democracy in their reporting.
Gbajabiamila made the call on Saturday during a workshop for members of the House of Representatives press corps in Abuja.
The workshop, titled “Deepening Legislative Knowledge through Critical Reporting”, was organized by the Office of the President for Media Professionals in Abuja.
The speaker said that democracy was a fragile construct, adding that it depended on the support of the electorate and required the active participation of an informed population.
Gbajabiamila said democracy required competence, capacity and integrity from those who oversee the affairs of the state, saying it would not long survive unless leaders and citizens respected the state by right.
According to the legislator, democracy also requires special attention and a strong defense.
"The role of the press in a democracy is multiple. You inform and educate the public about law and government, politics and governance.
"You record history as it unfolds and preserve the national memory as a guide and warning for the future.
"And you hold power accountable, ensuring that those chosen to serve the public interest remain loyal to the citizens who depend on them.
“Democracy will not survive long without a vibrant, independent, innovative and patriotic press,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said that while the landscape in which the press operated had changed dramatically, the duties of the press and the public's expectations of it remained the same.
He said journalists and the media are expected to maintain a high standard of professional conduct.
The lawmaker said citizens demand accurate information and detailed analysis of public policy and expect the media to continue to defend their rights, hold the powerful to account, and promote the public good through the practice of journalism.
Furthermore, House of Representatives Spokesperson Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) urged the media to be professional as the country looks forward to the 2023 general elections.
According to the legislator, the press is at the center of successful governance, ensuring the synergy of governance and communication.
Kalu said the press is often referred to as the fourth estate of the kingdom as it is a vital part of democracy.
He said that the media has the explicit ability to advocate and the implicit ability to frame policy issues, not only for social discourse, but also for the information and consideration of the legislature and other decision-makers.< /p>
“As we enter election season, the press should focus its reporting on issues, not people. The press must avoid being misused as a tool of defamation.
"The press of this period should only show things that build confidence in our democracy.
“The press should only present campaigns that inform the electorate about the candidates, their backgrounds and their objectives in order to let the electorate know why they should vote for any candidate,” he said. -he declared.
In his remarks, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, said that it was true that the media had an obligation for the people to report on the development of politics.
He said it was important that such reports were not born out of the desperation of a sensation that destroyed the democracy meant to be built and protected.
"The media is the eye and voice of the people in a democracy. The legislature is often considered the Square of Freedom because it is the only institution in a democracy where the people have the to interact directly with its representatives.
"The media is essential to the success of any democracy and indeed any legislature because the media represents the people when providing them with information and reports on governance and representational activities.
“Without the media, there can be no functioning democracy or political participation in a democratic society.
Danzaria said there was a need to ensure a more organized, efficient and unified communication channel for the National Assembly to limit misleading or sometimes outright false news. (NAN)
Please share this story:
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instructed media professionals to protect Nigerian democracy in their reporting.
Gbajabiamila made the call on Saturday during a workshop for members of the House of Representatives press corps in Abuja.
The workshop, titled “Deepening Legislative Knowledge through Critical Reporting”, was organized by the Office of the President for Media Professionals in Abuja.
The speaker said that democracy was a fragile construct, adding that it depended on the support of the electorate and required the active participation of an informed population.
Gbajabiamila said democracy required competence, capacity and integrity from those who oversee the affairs of the state, saying it would not long survive unless leaders and citizens respected the state by right.
According to the legislator, democracy also requires special attention and a strong defense.
"The role of the press in a democracy is multiple. You inform and educate the public about law and government, politics and governance.
"You record history as it unfolds and preserve the national memory as a guide and warning for the future.
"And you hold power accountable, ensuring that those chosen to serve the public interest remain loyal to the citizens who depend on them.
“Democracy will not survive long without a vibrant, independent, innovative and patriotic press,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said that while the landscape in which the press operated had changed dramatically, the duties of the press and the public's expectations of it remained the same.
He said journalists and the media are expected to maintain a high standard of professional conduct.
The lawmaker said citizens demand accurate information and detailed analysis of public policy and expect the media to continue to defend their rights, hold the powerful to account, and promote the public good through the practice of journalism.
Furthermore, House of Representatives Spokesperson Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) urged the media to be professional as the country looks forward to the 2023 general elections.
According to the legislator, the press is at the center of successful governance, ensuring the synergy of governance and communication.
Kalu said the press is often referred to as the fourth estate of the kingdom as it is a vital part of democracy.
He said that the media has the explicit ability to advocate and the implicit ability to frame policy issues, not only for social discourse, but also for the information and consideration of the legislature and other decision-makers.< /p>
“As we enter election season, the press should focus its reporting on issues, not people. The press must avoid being misused as a tool of defamation.
"The press of this period should only show things that build confidence in our democracy.
“The press should only present campaigns that inform the electorate about the candidates, their backgrounds and their objectives in order to let the electorate know why they should vote for any candidate,” he said. -he declared.
In his remarks, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, said that it was true that the media had an obligation for the people to report on the development of politics.
He said it was important that such reports were not born out of the desperation of a sensation that destroyed the democracy meant to be built and protected.
"The media is the eye and voice of the people in a democracy. The legislature is often considered the Square of Freedom because it is the only institution in a democracy where the people have the to interact directly with its representatives.
"The media is essential to the success of any democracy and indeed any legislature because the media represents the people when providing them with information and reports on governance and representational activities.
“Without the media, there can be no functioning democracy or political participation in a democratic society.
Danzaria said there was a need to ensure a more organized, efficient and unified communication channel for the National Assembly to limit misleading or sometimes outright false news. (NAN)
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