The world over, the media functions not only as watchdog of society, but also as agenda setters for the government.The role in journalists in holding political leaders accountable for their actions, is provided for in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended.
Regrettably, politicians tend to fume each time journalists attempt to carryout their mandates as enshrined in the constitution.
Fred Fedler, an American journalist wrote, “Journalism is built on reporting government.” More than 70 percent of media reports mostly cover issues of governance.
Why then politician or government worth their name want to vilify a journalist or media organization for carrying out their statutory mandate with respect to Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended. Section 39(1) of the same constitution further supports that provision.
Politicians ought to understand the job of journalists nay the media does not end with tge elections, but continues even when the politicians assume office.
It is worth mentioning here that the recent action of the Imo House of Assembly in summoning some staff of Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper over a report bothering on an issue between one of its members and his constituents, could be viewed as as an attempt to gag the press.
This is so as the idea of free press itself is a universal principle.
Nexus exists between politics in a democracy and the media.
In fact there cannot be democracy without the free speech and press freedom. Over the decades or even centuries, the two have evolved as universally accepted norms and/or feature of every democratic society.
What is important is for journalists and media practitioners to be factual in their reportage.
Afterall, it is taught in journalism that if you have the facts, publish and be damned.
There are ways or avenues through which a lawmaker, politician or anybody else can express his grievance if he feels injured by a media report.
Such an one can grant an interview to the same media organisation stating his own side of the story. He can equally write to the media house concerned, demanding a retraction of the said story or publication stating his reasons; failure of which the aggrieved person can go to court if he so wishes.
He can also complain to the Nigeria Press Counsel or other relevant authorities as the case may be.
The resort to what may appear as intimidation in such cases, is unacceptable. Most times, it is difficult to fight the media and win.
Since journalists help to set agenda for the government, they are therefore stakeholders in the development of the state.
We urge those in government to see journalists and the media as partners in progress, and also remember that the same journalists are the people they run to when shortchanged or even when they feel threatened.
In this 21st Century, constant threats and intimidation against journalists and media organizations by politicians and those in power, are not only condemnable but also barbaric.
