By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A lecturer from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ismaila Shehu has advised journalists to stop being willing tools in the hands of politicians and policy makers.
He gave the charge at a one-day workshop organized by the Network For Justice and Good Governance (NgJ), held at Arewa House, Kaduna on Thursday March 10, 2022.
“Journalists should be conscious of authenticity of their reports.
“As media practitioners, let’s avoid being tools of reporting. Journalists are intellectual workers too.
“As a journalist that answers his or her name, there is always news behind the news,” he said.
Presenting a paper titled, “Repositioning The Media For Enhancing Democracy And Good Governance In Nigeria” he explained that the media has key role in ensuring good governance.
“When we had consistent demands for dredging the Niger, Yaradua wanted to do it, but died.
“Don’t blame Jonathan there are parties who influence decisions.
“Democracy and good governance cannot be if there is no public participation.
“Good governance is about people asking questions, through deploying the FOI Act,” he said.
He explained that although there are challenges that come with the job, journalists have to develop tactics for staying afloat.
“We know the dangers of the journalism job. Information is power and the communicator should empower the public. Be careful, develop your own strategic approach for safety,” he said.
He further charged journalists to be patriotic and put NIgeria first before other sentiments.
“We need our country. People may say different things about NIgeria, but we must not relent,” he added.
He appealed to the media to contribute to the growth of the education sector by reporting plights that affect them.
” The media is teeming up with the ruling class to prevent telling stories of teachers in the country and their plight, this is unfortunate. Please tell our own side of the story,” he appealed.
