Nigeria: Watch dog vs. lap dog journalism

On August 4, 2008 / By Imnakoya / In Activism, Advocacy, Blogosphere, Corruption, Democracy, Governance, Idea, Nigeria

As far as I can remember, the Nigerian news media has always been flushed with editorials and reports on instances of poor leadership, political irresponsibility, graft and fraudulent activities among those in top leadership positions. Even lately, the Press has been insinuating that the presidency, the pinnacle of power in the land, has gone on a long sabbatical holiday.

But should Nigerians even expect a different outcome from a political class that is a product of a flawed process?

Beyond merely reporting what is wrong with our political system, how much input is coming from the Press to ensure the system is working as it should regardless of how the elected got into office?

It doesn’t do anyone much good to just read about the activities and failures of the political class. Rather than being just an information disseminator, the Press should be framing the political and social issues in the country, and it can not do this simply through editorials and news coverage alone.

What the Press needs to do in accordance with its position as Fourth Estate of the realm is to empower its audience by actively challenging the status quo in the polity.

The general mindset of the public has become apathetic – some would rather call this resiliency. No, the Nigerian public is apathetic; let us be real with ourselves. The situation is even further compounded by poverty and fear of reprisal from political class, a combo that can best be described as “disillusionment”.

Yet, the Press can do its disillusioned audience well by confronting the political class and examining their activities. Simply put, the Press needs to assume the posture of a Watch Dog, not a Lap Dog!

Political offices are avenues to make positive changes and calls for the utmost level of accountability. Can the Press make this happen? Absolutely!

Here are some instances where the Press can do more than just passing across news:

All federal legislators receive public funds to maintain offices in their constituencies. How is this money being spent? Has this account ever been audited?
Again, we read that the Freedom of Information bill was kicked out after being reintroduced by the speaker of the House. I read, just as many other Nigerians, how the floor members revolted against the bill. The Press can help “turn up the heat “and go after those rogue legislators. Who are they? What are their concerns?
How much is the democratic process costing us in Nigeria? I heard legislators even earn wardrobe allowances, really? The Press can challenge this, it is part of their job description as the Fourth Estate.
Given the state of the Nigerian nation today, the Press ought to be pushing the political class to be accountable more than even before, and challenging assumptions that have worked against the people.
The federal government of Ivory Coast had to slash their wages by 50% in order to finance fuel subsidy in the country. But Nigerian teachers can go on strike for weeks and its business as usual.

The Press is the only apparatus that can speak directly to the people, with its enormous capacity for advocacy and empowerment, it needs to step to the plate promptly, and arouse the political class from its slumber. Failure to do this only means that a time will come when there wouldn’t be any reason to read the newspapers – any fool can predict what the next day headline will be!

It is time the Press rolled up its sleeves and started raking up some mud.

6 Responses to “Nigeria: Watch dog vs. lap dog journalism”

Dude, you got me nodding my head on this one. Nigerians have seen enough of lap-dog journalism driven by padded brown envelopes! Honestly, the society needs a force to propel it forward. And it won’t come from the government as we have seen so far; only the press has what the takes to revitalise the spirit of people that have been battered by years of abuse.

My question is can any of the media outlets do what you’ve proposed the way they are constituted? I doubt if they can.

Great work! Talk to you soon!

By Mike
August 4, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Fat chance that that would happen.

By Chxta
August 5, 2008 at 1:03 am
@ Chxta, that is a typical resignal response we Nigerian give to serious issues like this when raised in our polity.

I have another real ‘fat chance’ I am working on and will hope it works. I intend to leverage on the power of the new media and engage our people in conversations at every level. It is my expectations that the citizen conversations being generated will challenge the present poor outing of the press.

Details of the citizen conversations will be out soon and I will be enlisting your supports; especially, active Nigerians on the blogosphere both at home and in diaspora.

We have what it takes to frame and shape policies in Nigeria with the power of the new media available to you and me. It is already unfolding before our eyes. In your hands is the democratic platform of the future.It is limitless, it is border-less. We can leverage on the power of the internet via blogs, forums, wikis etc to shape and influence policy. It is happening elsewhere. Let us not be hindered by the lack ‘access to internet’ excuse. By the way who would have envisaged the mobile phone boom in Nigeria today pre 1999.

Akin to the foregoing, we in the blogosphere are the ’sleeping dog’ let us awake from our slumber today, we have got the power!

By Osita Ibekwe
August 5, 2008 at 9:50 am
Three interesting comments! Thanks to you all.

Let me start with Chxta.

Chxta, you are well aware that the goodies we both enjoy overseas are made possible by individuals that could see beyond the limitations of their time and circumstances. They did not seek the path of least resistance, neither did they throw up their arms in frustration. They were/are non-members of the “it-can’t-work” association - a group I don’t think you belong. I hope you get my drift…

Mark: You question can only be answered this way: I don’t expect all the existing media houses to change. Even if none of them assume the role of watch dogs, new entities can emerge. If fact, they should! The article was written with this in mind, and this is what Chxta needs to know. When is your call coming bro?

Osita: I can only wish you God-speed in your undertaking! I’m encouraged people like you are seeing the opportunities to make something out of nothing. You have my support; just, let me know how I can be of help. About a year ago, I put together AfricanLoft, a social media Portal, check it out. The portal is still emerging, and has beat my expectations. I’m sure there are ways we can collaborate on your venture.

By Imnakoya
August 5, 2008 at 10:31 pm
@ Imnakoya: I am glad to have your support and i am encouraged. I will let you and others know in the fullness of time. No doubt Africanloft is a big hit; you are doing a wonderful job with it. Do keep the flag flying.

By Osita Ibekwe
August 6, 2008 at 3:28 am
@Osita I, your ongoing project is not only laudable but it interests the likes of me. It could be a good idea to get authors and community members of African Loft interested and solicit their comments and input. A good way of achieving this is to contact the Caretaker on African Loft/Imnakoya on Grandiose Parlor so that messages could be sent to the members or a spot devoted to your project on African Loft. Of course African Loft Caretaker may want to prevet your project and agree that it conforms to the African Loft ideal.
@Chxta, my brother (or sister) I know the feel of disillusionment and resignation when you think of how the Nigerian factor plays down every good idea/intent. But the wind of change is blowing and we just have to push harder to change the status quo. So let’s be positive and have the “with God nothing is impossible” frame of mind.

The issue of changing the Nigerian press from lapdog to topdog, oh sorry, watchdog, need start from the Institute of Higher Educations/Universities where the curruculum should include modules like constructive challenges, political analysis cum ratings, integrity of journalism, random searches and public opinions and so on.

All in all, it is at times like this when there is a gaping hole in the wall that we see the need to mend or fill them. Let us take all that’s deficient in the press so far as a learning curve which will usher in improvement strategies.

By omotaylor
August 7, 2008 at 1:10 pm

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