“Media Role in the 2023 general election” Being a Presentation by the Publisher/Editor in Chief, The Nigerian Post Newspaper, Abu Michael at the 10th Year Anniversary of the Projector Newspaper held at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja on Thursday 29th September 2022.
Protocols.
Introduction.
I am particularly pleased to be here with you today on the occasion of the 10th year anniversary of the Projector Newspaper.
As we approach the 2023 General Election, the Media has a power that has to be borne with a deep sense of responsibility, commitment and tact. Often, and as has been repeatedly shown across the world, the media can be a powerful tool for good, protecting the rights of citizens to information, give voice to people, providing platforms for diverse opinions, make policies and programmes of government accessible to people and creating conditions for tolerance and understanding.
We have also had a glimpse of the flip side of the benefits of what the media can offer, where lack of professionalism, objectivity and impartiality have, in a number of unfortunate cases, plunged nations into turmoil as the experiences of Rwanda (1994) and Kenya (2007) have shown.
Media Management in the Media, Objectivity as a Watchword.
The media is believed to be the mirror of society, a reflection of truth and despondence of the masses, to whom its objectivity and loyalty should serve. The media is known and crowned as the fourth estate of the realm of the arms of government where every ounce of information is to be of only public interest without subjecting it to any form of proprietorship. The aim of this study therefore is to find out the level of objectivity in media practices in media organization. Other objectives which are to investigate the level of objectivity in the media organization, to investigate the level of media control in the media organization, and to find out the level of media ethical practice among media personnel in the organization were also discussed.
The media in Nigeria has surely come a long way and has played massive economic, social and political roles in the life of Nigerians. The media have not only educated, entertained and informed citizens, they have positively influenced citizens’ perceptions and deepened understanding and tolerance amongst diverse socio-cultural and occupational groups, thereby laying the grounds for the emergence of a united, stable, prosperous and strong nation.
I, therefore consider the 10th year anniversary of the Projector Newspaper and its theme “The Role of the Media in the Nigerian Electoral Process With Objectivity as a focus” quite appropriate, particularly at a time when the 2023 General Elections is only some few days away from today.
The Media, Democracy and Democratic Governance
The media are not only the cornerstone of democracy, they also play an indispensable role in the proper functioning of a democracy. The vital role of the media as a watchdog of the democratic process and in influencing political discourse, especially during elections, is essential to democratic consolidation. Universally, the role of the media in information dissemination and public enlightenment through the provision of platforms for electoral campaigns, public debate and voter education is a pre-condition for free and fair elections. Without the media, safeguarding the credibility and transparency of the electoral process would be a difficult task. While a free and objective media can foster transparency by disseminating important electoral information, a stifled or compromised media is capable of undermining the electoral process, ultimately weakening democracy.
The important role of the media in a democracy was underscored in the 2005 UNESCO World Press Day Conference in Dakar, Senegal. The outcome of the Conference as articulated in the Dakar Declaration of 2nd May 2005, stressed that “independent and pluralistic media are essential for ensuring transparency, accountability and participation as fundamental elements of good governance and human rights-based development”. Furthermore, the Declaration urged states to, “respect the function of news media as an essential factor in good governance, vital to increasing both transparency and accountability in decision-making process, and to communicating the principles of good governance to society”.
In facilitating the full participation of the citizenry in democratic elections, the media are specifically saddled with the responsibility of:
(1) Educating voters on how to exercise their democratic rights;
(2) Reporting on election campaigns;
(3) Providing a platform for political parties and candidates to communicate their messages to the electorate;
(4) Providing a platform for public feedback, concerns, opinions and needs to political parties and candidates, the Election Management Bodies (EMBs), government and other electoral stakeholders, thus facilitating interactions on governance issues;
(5) Allowing political parties and candidates to debate with each other;
(6) Reporting results and monitoring vote counting;
(7) Scrutinizing the electoral process itself, including electoral management, in order to evaluate the fairness of the process, its efficiency and its probity;
(8) Providing information in manner devoid of inflammatory language, and helping to prevent election-related violence.
Elections are not just about the right to vote. Knowledge of the voting process, information about political parties, candidates and their programmes are also crucial. Also required is the acquisition of the knowledge of how to vote. It is the sacred responsibility of the media to provide avenues and opportunities for citizens’ participation, political inclusion and empowerment. The media should avail voters with adequate information about the electoral process and informed analyses on policies, political parties and their candidates, to enable the citizens make informed choices. To fulfil this obligation, the media have the duty to subject the electoral process to scrutiny and to provide public education on the activities of the EMB and other electoral stakeholders, in order to hold them to account.
According to a 2011 report on Media and Parliamentary Election in Egypt by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies:
The media is the primary means through which public opinion is shaped and at times manipulated. Elections constitute a basic challenge to the media, putting its impartiality and objectivity to test. The task of the media, especially national media outlets, is not and should not be to function as a mouthpiece for any government body or particular candidate. Its basic role is to enlighten and educate the public and act as a neutral, objective platform for free debate of all points of view.
In an increasingly globalised world, the media have therefore become a powerful tool in determining the political agenda, even in the most advanced democracies of the world. More importantly, the media have become an active participant in the political process, influencing political discourse and, in some cases, decision-making process and policy decisions, in developing democracies. This ability of the media to shape public opinion by providing content and context to discourse has serious implications for the electoral process, with both positive and negative consequences.
The Media, Democracy and Democratic Governance in Nigeria
Chapter II Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) stipulates the obligations of the mass media as follows:
The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.
The obligation under this Chapter on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy is anchored on the premise articulated in Section 14 that Nigeria is a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice governed by the belief that:
1.Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through the Constitution derives all its power and authority;
2.The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and
3. The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
It is therefore the duty of the media to act as the watchdog of the society, with the primary responsibility of protecting public interest against any abuse by those entrusted with power and resources of the state. Flowing from this, is a responsibility for the Nigerian media to create awareness to sensitise citizens about their rights and responsibilities by continually providing information on public and current affairs. The media should also educate and empower the citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions or inaction. By serving as a market place of ideas, playing diverse advocacy roles and providing platforms for the government, interest groups and individuals to push their messages, the media must be constantly aware of its position as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the fourth pillar of democracy.
This consciousness in turn strengthens democracy and promotes good governance and promotes the development of society.
To all intents and purposes, the media has continued to play a key role in the struggle for, and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. In fact, the media was in the forefront of the struggle for the return of democracy in 1999. Where other entities were complacent or failed to act, certain sections of the media, in spite of the enormous and draconian state powers, mustered the courage to speak truth to power at great personal and corporate costs to the journalists and media organisations involved. Indeed, this attribute of the media dates back to pre-independence and the immediate post-independence period, and it is within this context that the role of the media in the Nigerian Electoral Process will be analysed.
Perspectives on the Role of the Media in Nigeria
Societies the world over, recognize that the media – print, broadcast and now New/Social Media – are an indispensable link between leaders and governance on the one hand, and between government and the governed on the other. Efforts towards making the media accessible through provisions of outlets as well as regulatory frameworks for that access and for the operation of the media itself, are critical indicators of development. Media access, whether by government, opposition or ordinary people and the conditions governing that access are critical in understanding the extent of freedom and information available in any particular country. It is the role of the media to provide balanced information and adequate coverage of events to enable citizens make informed choices about the political and electoral processes.
In Nigeria, the media has historically served as a critical national institution engaged in the task of nation-building, mobilization, as well as a store of information on a variety of economic, social, and political issues.
Media and the Electoral Process in Nigeria
The critical role of the media to democracy cannot be over-emphasized. Some scholars even hold view that democracy is impossible without the media. This position is rooted in the recognition and understanding that the media undergirds, monitors, and strengthens the entire electoral process from the registration of voters, through the actual voting process and the announcement of electoral outcomes or results, as well as the management of public opinion and perception in post-election period. An election is credible not just because of the ability of EMB to ensure that voters have the requisite information about the process and exercise their rights to choose whom they want; credibility is also judged by the participatory process in which voters have adequate information of policies, programmes, political parties and their candidates, and the entire electoral process, including the level of public debate and quality of information that informed the choices of the electorate.
Similarly, the media acts as an ombudsman, a general overseer safeguarding the transparency of the electoral process, ensuring not only that information is available to voters, but also that the activities of stakeholders in the electoral and political process are consistent with laid down rules and international best practice. The media thus, has both a duty to ensure effective coverage of the electoral process and through it, the obligation to protect voters’ rights to full and accurate information, participation in debates and dialogues on the electoral process and engagement with stakeholders in the entire process.
Beyond protecting the rights of voters, the media should, by that measure, also protect the rights of political parties and candidates to have access to, and use of media platforms for public engagement. Similarly, EMBs ought to rely on the media as partners in the delivery of credible elections, e.g. in voter/civic education, respect for electoral codes on political conduct by all stakeholders.
In general terms, therefore, the media should serve as communicators and information channels for voters, political parties, candidates, EMBs, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the electoral process, as well as informal regulators of the entire process.
In performing these three-dimensional roles, the media must be professional, accurate in its reporting and impartial in its coverage. Without professionalism, the media could become an impediment to the democratic process.
Media Ownership, Control and the Electoral Process
The media in Nigeria has come a long way, with an evolution dating back to 1859 when Iwe-Irohin, blazed the trail. From that date to 2018, Nigeria has over 100 government, community and privately-owned newspapers and magazines, some 200 radio stations and about 150 television channels. This is apart from the large and increasing number of online publications and bloggers. While some of the pioneer publications such as The Lagos Times and Gold Coast Advertiser were published fortnightly and sold for six pence, newspapers are now published daily and sold for N200 and above, while it costs a lot more to subscribe to a variety of television channels on satellite.
Some have argued that the existence of multiple platforms today is healthy and helps to bring the best out of the media. Media organizations now know that they must be innovative and do something unique in order to attract a sizeable audience and profit in the midst of fierce competition. The advent of the social media has, indeed, expanded the challenges and opportunities that traditional media organizations now face in previously unimaginable ways. But I am confident that the traditional media has the capacity to withstand the pressure and protect its hard-earned territory.
However, the expectation is that the code of conduct and ideals for which the media are known will always take precedence in the reportage of events. The pursuit of truth, underscored by balanced and fair reportage, would always endear media organizations that uphold such principles to the general public. In this age of digital technology, where information is easily accessible with just a click of the button, any media organization whose reports are considered inaccurate and biased runs the risk of losing public confidence and goodwill in the long-run.
Media and the 2023 General Elections
It is possible that the 2023 General Elections would be one of the most intense media-focused events in our political history. Stakeholders are likely to rely heavily on media, as well as on the New Social Media. For this reason, combating hate speech, fake news and other forms of reporting likely to inflame passion and trigger crisis will be of critical importance to the peaceful conduct of the elections.
The Role of New Media: Opportunities, Threats and Challenges
The emergence of the Internet has changed the way we think and do things all over the world. It has, indeed, brought with it, tremendous opportunities for the media, like all other sectors. It has broadened the scope of human abilities to share information and knowledge within seconds such that it is no longer possible to hoard information.
The social media, through digital technology, has revolutionized the ability of media organizations and even interested individuals to share breaking news in terms of photos and video clips. It is now possible to watch television programmes live on Facebook and even post comments. Individuals can also record scenes, take pictures with their mobile phones, upload same with their narratives on social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook and to share them. Such content could be viewed by millions of people all over the world within minutes.
The effect is that the monopoly of “Breaking News”, hitherto the exclusive preserve of the traditional media, has been taken away by the new generation of bloggers and those who refer to themselves as “Citizen Journalists”. This poses a major challenge just as it offers new opportunities to media organizations.
The opportunity is that media organizations now have more platforms to ply their trade. There is no need to wait for the prime time to broadcast events, as breaking news can now be released as the news breaks. It has also opened a new way of making money, through digital advertising.
The downside, however, is the circulation of fake news, which the unsuspecting public may believe as the truth. In any case, media organisations have also been victims. There have been reports of certain individuals cloning the platforms and some media organizations and broadcasting fake news which sometimes attract the attention of the public.
Promoting Credible and Peaceful Elections: The Role of Media Organisations.
i. Civic and Voter Education
ii. Fair, Professional and Ethical Coverage of the Electoral Processes
iii. Organisation of Debate for Candidates Seeking Political Office
Conclusion
How Objective Can Journalists Be?
Objectivity is the core principle of journalism practice, which means detaching oneself from the information so as to maintain a high level of fairness and balance in giving an accurate account of happenings.
But politicians have succeeded in influencing and controlling the media outputs and not allowing them to exercise the required freedom and independence in disseminating accurate and unbiased information that will serve the best interest of the general public. Therefore, the above-mentioned practices have changed what most people see as the cornerstone and backbone of journalism practice.
Professionally, journalists are expected to work in line with the ethics of the noble profession but it appears that journalist these days have thrown away the book of ethical reporting and moved to serve the interest of politicians by becoming the megaphone of political bigwigs, something that discredits the profession.
Consequently, journalists keep losing their integrity and trust built by the public. Politicians too have started treating them as errands boys rather than professionals, forgetting their primary responsibility and the role they are expected to play towards the socioeconomic and political development of our societies.
Before now, people believed in whatever information they read in newspapers, watch on television or listen to on their radio set as a result of the trust they had for journalists, considering their commitments to bringing firsthand, reliable and accurate information to the people. But today, things are different with the challenge of fake news and misinformation.
The question of being hundred percent objective in journalistic reportage has been on public debate because of the differences that characterize us as individuals.
Moreover, the unrestrictive nature and easy accessibility of the internet and social networking sites have paved the way for the spread of fake news, hate speech, and misinformation which incite disunity and unrest in society.
Unfortunately, online news platforms are so quick to pick up those stories without confirming their sources and reliability.
Journalists were professionally trained to be fact finders because it’s believed that facts are sacred while opinion is free. Journalism is a noble profession therefore, self-centrism, ethical egoism, biases, and prejudices are unethical and should not be entertained in information dissemination.
Above all, editors who happen to be final gatekeepers of information must be fair in their dealings. We are humans, so being 100 percent objective will be difficult to achieve but reporters should do anything humanly possible in detaching themselves from the stories they are writing. They should try not to allow personal biases, ranging from ethnicity, religion, region or political affiliation influence or change their stories.
Once again, I thank The Projector Newspaper for this gracious opportunity to speak at your 10th year anniversary.