By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Ahead of 2023 general elections in Nigeria, a University don, a professor of Mass Communication in the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Jonathan Aliede has tasked media practitioners in Nigeria to dissect all the aspiring political office holders past records and antecedents as well their contributions to the societal growth to enable the electorate make informed electoral choice during the election.
Prof. Aliede made this known to journalists in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state while delivering a key note address at the 2022 press week of Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State council at San Diego Hotels, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki.
Speaking on the theme,”Time to Deepen Media Involvement In Nigeria’s Democracy, Prof. Aliede stated that it is the sole responsibility of journalists more especially in this election period to dissect and carryout exhaustive analysis, evaluation and provision of information and truth about the past antecedents and records of every candidate’s contributions to the society ahead of 2023 general elections in order to help they electorate make the right choice.
Prof. Aliede who was represented by a senior lecturer in the department of Masscommunication, Ebonyi State University, Dr. Kenneth Adibe further urged journalists to hold those in authority responsible for their actions to ensure accountability, transparency and probity in the Democratic system.
“Dissect Aspiring Political Office Holders through exhaustive analysis, evaluation and provision of full and truthful information of their past antecedents, records and contributions to the society to enable the electorate make informed electoral choice, for instance,in 2023.
“Ensure inline with your constitutional calling that you hold those in authority responsible for their acts of omission and commission and that government guarantees accountability, transparency, probity and integrity.
“Allay the fears, anxiety, reservations, douths, suspicion, uncertainty and worries of the citizens who are more concerned than ever about the country’s political future” he said.
Also speaking, the former senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone in Ebonyi State, Sen. Jurius Aliucha and former CMD of Alex Egwueme Federal Teaching Hospital,Prof.Olisaemeka Ezeonu including the NUJ Chairman, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Tony Nwizi all commended the outstanding contributions and efforts of journalists in societal development and therefore charged them to be diligent as watch dog of the society by holding those in authority accountable to the people always and expose crime no matter who is involved .
They also noted that the social media has posed a great challenge to the conventional Media and called on journalists to be abreast of the task ahead of them by meeting up with the expectations of people through a well balanced news reportage.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of the Correspondents’chapel of NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor appreciated the media practitioners for their commitment and dedication in discharging their duties saying that press week is an annual ritual in journalism profession because it is a time journalists take time to review their activities and operation to know how they have faired in the year and how the have impacted positively or otherwise in the society.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to this grand finale of our 2022 Press Week. It may interest you to know that press week is an annual ritual in journalism profession. It is a period practicing Journalists take stock of their operations to know how we have faired in the year under review. It affords Journalists the opportunity to underscore how their operations have impacted positively or otherwise on the society by feeling the pulse of the people and brainstorm on how best to improve and move forward, for the betterment of the society. It’s also a period journalists invite their friends from all walks of life to dine and wine with them, encourage and advise them where necessary.”
Comrade Nwafor also explained that the theme of this year’s press week is borne out of urgent need to Deepen Media Involvement In Nigeria’s democracy more especially in this transition period saying that Nigeria’s Democracy is posed with challenges because the ruling class has failed to embrace the critical roles of the media in National Development.
“Time to Deepen Media Involvement in Nigeria’s Democracy”. The theme of the event is borne out of the urgent need to open more discussions on how best to nurture and deepen Media involvement in Nigeria’s fledgling democracy, especially now that the process of transition to a new government has kick-started. It’s our belief that Nigeria’s democracy is not growing at the pace it ought to grow, and the failure of the ruling class to fully embrace the critical roles of the Media by allowing them free hand to operate independently without interference, has always been the greatest challenge. And for the country to make reasonable headway, the issue must be tackled head-on, hence, the theme is apt.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to commend members of the Chapel for being good ambassadors. I urge you to continue to adhere strictly to the ethics of Journalism profession in the discharge of your lawful duties, especially as the 2023 general election is around the corner. Correspondents should shun fake news and ensure we our crosscheck facts always, bearing in mind the critical role we play in the society. The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to some personalities who has contributed significantly towards societal development.
