Media, most formidable institution of democracy — Don
From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
A Lecturer in the Political Science Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Tanko Yahaya Baba, has described the media as the most formidable institution of democracy, without which democracy cannot thrive.
Prof. Baba stated this at the weekend in Sokoto when he delivered a paper at the September Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council.
Baba spoke as the Guest Speaker on the topic, ‘ Journalism and Political Campaigns: Between Public Interest and Political Influence ‘.
He said the power of the people is supreme, adding that government is constituted from the people and elected leaders are expected to represent them.
The don explained that in democratic systems, institutions such as the National Assembly, Executive and Judiciary were established to ensure checks and balances, accountability and independent arbitration.
“But when those institutions fail to act according to the provisions of the constitution, journalists come to play a critical role,” he said.
According to him, the role of journalists includes exposing unlawful conduct of government officials, exposing limitations of democratic institutions and empowering people with information about what is happening in government.
Describing journalism as a noble profession, he said it is expected to be professional, independent and to produce and distribute accurate reports, facts, ideas and current events without bias, with the aim of informing, educating, enlightening and empowering the public.
He said such professional and independent conduct distinguishes between a professional journalistic platform and an unprofessional one, adding that regardless of ownership, whether private or public, the media must enjoy a certain level of autonomy.
The scholar stressed that people and organisations, including political parties and candidates, rely on the media to inform the public about their activities.
Baba noted that while elections give power to the people, after elections, government often distances itself from the people, creating a gap between government and the governed.
“The only hope for the people is the media which connects the people with the government. The government fears the media because the media can inform, enlighten, educate and empower the public,” he said.
The lecturer further said, “every media platform exists primarily to promote public interest, as the public is the basis for the existence of any society.”
Baba said continued survival of society depends on security, safety, welfare and well-being, noting that political campaigns are advertisements of candidates, parties and coalitions aimed at convincing the public to make choices.
He, however, warned that political actors may be clouded by personal and group interests and may resort to false claims, propaganda, character assassination and half-baked reports to capture political power.
“It is the gatekeeping activities of the media that makes the difference,” he stated.
Baba said the duty of the media during political campaigns is not only to report accurately but to do so in a principled, professional, nationalistic and independent manner.
He added that the primary role of the media is agenda-setting, by articulating the priorities of the people and presenting them to political parties and candidates to respond to.
Citing insecurity as Nigeria’s number one challenge, he said if security is not top on the agenda of political parties, journalists should be blamed for not setting it as an agenda, as well as the economy and other livelihood issues.
“Without security, there is no stability, no prosperity and no development. First thing first,” he said.
He said in advanced democracies, public discourse during elections revolves around issues already articulated by the media, and political parties are forced to respond to them.
He, however, warned that if the media itself is divided along political lines, it will lose public respect and credibility.
“Any news that comes from a platform adjudged to be partisan, people do not even give a second look, no matter how accurate,” the lecturer said.
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