A coalition of civil society organizations, CSOs, has called on government and stakeholders in the media industry to give room for press freedom to allow journalists carry out its social responsibilities effectively.
The groups made the call in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during a one day media seminar titled ‘The Role Of Media In Championing Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Inclusion’.
The seminar was attended by practicing journalists in the state.
The organizers – Mac-Arthur Foundation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, and Alliance For Africa – said that the objective of the seminar is to educate and better equip media practitioners on their roles in championing good governance, holding public office holders accountable and encouraging citizens participation in governance.
The groups stressed the need for government at all levels and its agencies to provide conducive environment for media practitioners to operate.
One of the resource persons Mrs Nnennaya Eneremmadu, who spoke on the topic, “Understanding the importance of the media in championing good governance, transparency, accountability and inclusion’, pointed out that journalists face many challenges when carrying out their constitutional responsibilities to the society.
She maintained that the media plays important roles in shaping and upholding social cohesion between the government and the citizens through its role as watchdog of the society.
Eneremmadu observed that whenever there is need for social reforms, it is always the media that will be at the front to champion the cause.
She however regretted that despite the important roles journalists play for the betterment of the society, they are faced with many challenges mostly from the part of government that ought to protect them.
Highlighting some of the key ways in which the media help in shaping the society, she mentioned election monitoring, facilitating dialogue mostly on social reforms through media advocacy, and informing and engaging citizens on political issues.
She also noted that the most important of all is investigative journalism which she said is on the decline.
“Investigative journalism enhances transparency in governance, encourages citizenship participation in governance and exposes ills of the society.”