Media challenged to monitor promises by in-coming governments

The undaunted Nigerian media have further been challenged to employ the same unprecedented tenacity it used during the 2015 campaigns and elections to now keep tabs on the successful candidates’ promises to the electorate.

Ralph Akinfeleye, a professor of Mass Communication Department of University of Lagos, told BusinessDay at the celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Lagos that elections proper was over and the media should now concentrate on monitoring the promises and evaluating the manifestoes of the politicians for necessary scores after some months.

“Elections proper is over but the promises, the manifestoes are what the journalists should be talking now so that we can get their scorecards after 100 days or so. They should be made to account for what contains in their manifestoes,” according to Akinfeleye.

Truth is the cornerstone of journalism which must be upheld at all times, Akinfeleye said, and advised for a true relationship between the owners of media houses and journalists working for them to uphold the truth.

Also speaking at the forum put together by the US Consulate office in Lagos, Femi Adesina, president, Guild of Editors, tasked the media to remain true to Nigerians instead of political parties.

During the elections and campaigns, various candidates of political parties at different levels made far reaching promises to the electorate, perhaps in order to win the elections, without deep knowledge of the resources to meet those promises, and now the fulfillment or otherwise of the promises will be used as a scorecard for them as Nigerians have become more politically conscious.

Recently, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), according to a report, promised to hold elected governments accountable in respect of their promises to Nigerians and workers.

Underscoring the significance of media in building democracy and the economy, Barrack Obama in a congratulatory message to Nigerians after the peaceful elections, commended the efforts of the news media in offering a platform for the expression and amplification of ideas by political candidates during the campaign season.

“The news media, like their peers in other parts of the world, shoulder a heavy responsibility to inform and educate the electorate, in some cases placing themselves in harm’s way. We are aware that some courageous journalists were injured during the elections.

“By providing to the Nigerian electorate timely, factual, analytical, and objective information to help them understand the issues and where the candidates stand, the news media lived-up to a universal professional standard and contributed immensely to a healthy and functioning democracy in Nigeria. You and your peers deserve kudos for a job well done. And I look forward to hearing your self-assessment of your performance,” according to Obama.

He further wrote that a free press was essential to a healthy democracy. “Not only during elections but every day, every week, every month, and every year the news media must remain focused and engaged. The news media can be a powerful force for change. It can effectively fulfill the roles of watchdog, gatekeeper and agenda-setter. It can improve governance by raising citizen awareness of social issues, enabling citizens to hold their governments to account, curbing corruption, and creating a civic forum for debate. I challenge you to continue to play an effective role in amplifying important issues that affect citizens,” he said.

Daniel Obi