Professor Tokunbo Adaja, a scholar of Journalism and Mass Communication at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, has called on media practitioners to intensify efforts in exposing corrupt practices and educating Nigerians on the perils of corruption.
Adaja made the call while delivering the institution’s 11th inaugural lecture on Thursday, titled “Power of Press and Press of Power: Bridging the Lacuna in the Quest for Good Governance in Nigeria,” held at the Oba Oladele Olashore Auditorium.
He argued that the press wields immense power which, if not harnessed to effect meaningful change, would remain a mere ‘theoretical formulation’. He noted that exposing corruption would keep the government and its officials vigilant and accountable.
“Media, as representatives of the disenfranchised within the committee of the enfranchised, are to represent, present and defend the interests of the masses, as well as alert government officials to the likely consequences of inaction,” he said.
“Journalists are duty-bound to raise the alarm whenever misdeeds or abuses of the fundamental principles of democracy by government functionaries are observed.”
The don urged the press to lead the quest for good governance by ensuring that “all social, economic and political misadventures of governments, government agencies and government functionaries must be reported, as well as encouraging state agencies with prosecutorial powers to intervene and do the needful.”
However, he warned the media against abdicating their watchdog role over the three arms of government, urging them to “give adequate coverage to the activities of the executive, legislature and judiciary, report their excesses or misdeeds, and advocate for justice for all.”
“It is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring transparency, probity and accountability. As such, the press must cultivate, activate and institutionalise the culture of reporting and monitoring governments and government programmes from ‘start to finish’, ensuring contracts awarded or programmes instituted are monitored at every stage to guarantee compliance with specifications.
“The press should strategically reposition itself to inform and educate the citizenry on government activities, which are often shrouded in secrecy in third-world nations. This will compel governments to uphold accountability, transparency, probity and integrity, ultimately fostering good governance.
“Media organisations and journalists must sharpen their investigative skills to unearth and expose clandestine wrongdoings by public office holders.
This vigilance will keep governments and officials on their toes. All social, economic and political misadventures of governments, agencies and functionaries must be published, alongside encouragement for prosecutorial agencies to act accordingly.”
On the role of the media in national development, the professor asserted that the press should spearhead a cultural renaissance by reviving lost societal values and reshaping public attitudes toward accountability and integrity.
He also urged the media to desist from glamorising corrupt individuals, adding that those with ill-gotten wealth should be investigated and the origins of their wealth exposed.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of JABU, Professor Olasebikan Fakolujo, described Adaja as a distinguished academic with over 50 publications in reputable local and international journals.