2011 Election, Media & Government Interference
In a report, recently published by some national dailies, there are greater concerns by opposition parties in so many states of the federation on how campaigns by their candidates and parties receive little or no attention from the states owned media houses. Some even mentioned that even where they receive attention it was too negative or meant to ridicule them. State owned media outfits in virtually all the states of the federation, view the state broadcasting stations (TV or radio), as extension of the propaganda arm of the ruling party in the state and therefore, use the stations to advance partisan or personal interests of state governors while preventing access to these media by other political parties. The ruling parties in many states of the federation do interfere in the way the media perform its duty in their domain. This attitude is even manifesting at the federal level. The federal government controlled media - the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN) give more attention to the activities of the party in power.
One of the fundamental role media can play in democracy is to assist in ensuring the enthronement of good governance and accountability. Democracy ensures the liberalisation of political space and allows the people to express their opinions through the media and provide an opportunity for, as well as a means for the people to influence governance. This means the ruling party no longer monopolises the public sphere; the people also participate in it. The media, especially public owned media, are established and designed to ensure fair and balanced coverage of political campaigns and elections. Media organisations in many states have been turned to a mouthpiece of political leaders within the ruling party in the states. This attitude cut across the different political parties in control in those states. Many opposition candidates were frequently denied access to such state media.
While the state-run media in virtually all the states have been turned into a political campaign organisation of sort, singing the praises of the incumbent Governors, opposition parties are completely black-out. Their opinions are never heard in radio and their pictures never seen in the TV screens. Unfortunately, the media in the states have become a 'sycophantic mega-phones of the government or of the party in power'. This completely violates the principle of fair and balanced reporting. The nation's broadcast regulatory commission, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), on the other hand appears handicapped. So far, despite several complaints from Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Enugu , Benue and Borno, no station has been sanctioned by the NBC. And the provision of the NBC code section 1.5.1 and c is very clear on given equal coverage to all parties.
As the 2011 elections draw near, Nigerians need to have a fair and equitable access to the media by all contesting parties and candidates. This would ensure that everybody is heard on how to address the issues of political violence, corruption, ineffective government, insecurity, irresponsive leadership, and economic deprivation. This will assist the citizen to analyse each candidate based on how he is going to tackle issues that affect their lives.
The media in Nigeria , especially the print media have shown a considerable commitment in ensuring good governance and have, in the past assert their role in buttressing and deepening democracy. The fight against military dictatorship and the scuttled third term of Olusegun Obasanjo has made the Nigerian media one of the most effective and credible watchdog in Africa . However, the action of some journalists and sycophants in various states is turning this honourable profession into a behemoth of corruption and undermines its efforts and sacrifices made in ensuring good governance in Nigeria .
Our democracy will never flourish if the media is not operating in a responsible manner by exercising a strong sense of fair play by allowing both the ruling and opposition parties to reach out to electorate in a fair and equitable way and also show a deep respect for truth in the handling of news and opinions. Genuine democratization and development can only be actualized if all parties are given equal access to the media. Nigerians can be empowered and make informed decisions during elections if each candidate is offered the opportunity the chance to reach out to them.
Relevant authorities like the NBC and management of media organisation in the state should as matter urgency and in the best interest of our democracy address this ugly situation in order to have a rancour free election in April.
One of the fundamental role media can play in democracy is to assist in ensuring the enthronement of good governance and accountability. Democracy ensures the liberalisation of political space and allows the people to express their opinions through the media and provide an opportunity for, as well as a means for the people to influence governance. This means the ruling party no longer monopolises the public sphere; the people also participate in it. The media, especially public owned media, are established and designed to ensure fair and balanced coverage of political campaigns and elections. Media organisations in many states have been turned to a mouthpiece of political leaders within the ruling party in the states. This attitude cut across the different political parties in control in those states. Many opposition candidates were frequently denied access to such state media.
While the state-run media in virtually all the states have been turned into a political campaign organisation of sort, singing the praises of the incumbent Governors, opposition parties are completely black-out. Their opinions are never heard in radio and their pictures never seen in the TV screens. Unfortunately, the media in the states have become a 'sycophantic mega-phones of the government or of the party in power'. This completely violates the principle of fair and balanced reporting. The nation's broadcast regulatory commission, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), on the other hand appears handicapped. So far, despite several complaints from Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Enugu , Benue and Borno, no station has been sanctioned by the NBC. And the provision of the NBC code section 1.5.1 and c is very clear on given equal coverage to all parties.
As the 2011 elections draw near, Nigerians need to have a fair and equitable access to the media by all contesting parties and candidates. This would ensure that everybody is heard on how to address the issues of political violence, corruption, ineffective government, insecurity, irresponsive leadership, and economic deprivation. This will assist the citizen to analyse each candidate based on how he is going to tackle issues that affect their lives.
The media in Nigeria , especially the print media have shown a considerable commitment in ensuring good governance and have, in the past assert their role in buttressing and deepening democracy. The fight against military dictatorship and the scuttled third term of Olusegun Obasanjo has made the Nigerian media one of the most effective and credible watchdog in Africa . However, the action of some journalists and sycophants in various states is turning this honourable profession into a behemoth of corruption and undermines its efforts and sacrifices made in ensuring good governance in Nigeria .
Our democracy will never flourish if the media is not operating in a responsible manner by exercising a strong sense of fair play by allowing both the ruling and opposition parties to reach out to electorate in a fair and equitable way and also show a deep respect for truth in the handling of news and opinions. Genuine democratization and development can only be actualized if all parties are given equal access to the media. Nigerians can be empowered and make informed decisions during elections if each candidate is offered the opportunity the chance to reach out to them.
Relevant authorities like the NBC and management of media organisation in the state should as matter urgency and in the best interest of our democracy address this ugly situation in order to have a rancour free election in April.
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