By Joy Odigie
Independence is the foundation of journalism. The concept implies provision of stories that reflect social reality in a way that puts public interest ahead of any other consideration.
It is a web considered by many as a major challenge to journalism practice.
However, the obstacle posed by media policies, ownership, technology and sustainability are obviously threatening the existence of independent media in Nigeria.
It is becoming increasingly impossible for the media to hold those in power accountable as well as promote transparent governance.
According to the Reporters Without Borders’ 2021 World Press Freedom Index, Nigeria is ranked 120th out of 180 countries.
This ranking, evidently, reflects the challenging environment that journalists and media houses are in the country operate in.
They are faced with arrests and detention; physical assault, digital censorship, self-censorship, ownership influence, and poor financing, among others.
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), recently organised its 3rd Amplify In-depth Media Conference where awards to outstanding investigative journalists received awards.
The event also offered a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm on freedom of the press vis-à-vis its sustainability in a digital era.
Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director of the centre, said that the need for media independence could not be over-emphasised.
Alaka said the press still struggled with identity crisis and the dilemma of pursuing owner interest or public interest while complying with the ethics of the profession.
She advocated formation of policies that would enable journalism to thrive, deployment of modern technology by the media as well as adoption of innovative techniques by the media to remain financially viable.
Amina Salihu, Deputy Director, MacArthur Foundation, said “press freedom and quality reporting is not negotiable in a context where there’s need for a working democracy; the one that serves the people”.
Salihu said the media had to reflect and maintain wellness to enable it continue to be the watchdog of the society.
“The media has to take that wellness to the ecosystem where it operates and also has to inspire citizens to do the needful via emphasising the duties of the citizens,” she said.
She also urged media owners to see investigative journalism as an ethical business where funds could be generated to sustain their activities, noting that “the media cannot continue to depend on donor funding”
Delivery the key note address, Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premium Times said journalism was about making a democratic government more accountable to the people, and urged journalists to operate within the ethics of the profession.
Olorunyomi, who is also the founder of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) urged journalists to embrace fact checking and digital literacy tools to fight information disorder in the country.
He also called for the regulation of AI (Artificial Intelligence) just like other products such as drugs and food are regulated in the country.
“AI has a lot of benefits, it can help solve problems but it needs effective regulation. Journalists need to take the lead in the AI revolution.
“However, for journalists to be able to take the lead, they must be educated about AI”’ he said.
Mr Lateef Olagunju, Secretary General, National Commission for UNESCO, Nigeria, said “democracy cannot be sustained if there is no media regulation.
“If media regulation is government regulated, it will be difficult to achieve media independence. We cannot talk about sustainable development if there is no independence of the media”.
Olagunju said UNESCO had different media interventions to promote media independence in member states.
Franca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said that a synergy between the regulator and regulated was key in allowing achieving excellence in journalism.
Aiyetan, who spoke during a panel discussion on Media Regulation and Independence: What is the Balance? said NBC was drafting a regulation guideline for social media to operate in the digital space.
“UNESCO has specific guidelines to regulate the digital media platform; some of the considerations include access to information, freedom of information and local content”, she said.
She recommended that digital technology companies should train young people on what they can post on the internet space.
Mr Dili Ezughah, Director-General, Nigerian Press Council, (NPC) said the essence of the body was to ensure press freedom and also for citizens to enjoy their rights to the correct information.
Ezughah said there was the need to review the NPC Act, adding that most of its contents were outdated.
“When reviewing the Press Council law, all stakeholders should be brought together to contribute their input”, he said..
Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre, advocated that media regulatory bodies should be independent of government’s influence.
Arogundade also called on the NBC and NPC to have prior conversation with media organisations before they approach the appropriate authorities for the review the laws within which they operate.
For these suggestions to yield desired impact, future journalists should be adequately prepared.
Prof. Umaru Pate, a renowned media scholar and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State said the need for the media to have economic independence could not be overemphasised.
The V-C said the new unbundled curriculum for students of mass communication was tailored in line with the dynamics of the new media era.
He said for instance, the new curriculum would enable media students learn how social issues like conflict shape how journalists operate in today’s world and media economics.
He urged students studying mass communication to develop a passion for ethical and business journalism.
Mr Jimeh Saleh, an Editor at BBC, called for a new mindset and new ways of collaboration among media professionals especially in the area of investigative journalism.
Saleh said having such collaborations could also be extended to non-journalists who could give useful insight into investigative reports.
“Cross boarder collaboration can enhance the knowledge we have about investigation. There is the need to recognise the power of language in investigative journalism”, he said.
How will the media balance investigstive journalism which sometimes comes at heavy financial cost and their desire to avoid bankruptcy?
Speaking about financial sustainability for the media, Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, says that there is the need to produce news as a business product.
“We need to see news as a product that we can sell while bearing in mind ethical considerations. Different technology platforms make good money from selling news materials that they don’t produce.
“So the media, who is in charge of gathering and producing the news items, should make use of technology to make them into sellable products”, Aiyetan said.
Media professionals argue that independent media plays a critical role in shaping society by bringing important stories that hold power accountable.
The onus is now on all stakeholders to ensure that media thrives in an environment that is fair, transparent and conducive to growth without compromising their traditional role in the society. (NANFeatures)
