Campus journalism Dialogue and
matters arising
matters arising
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
Background
The Nigerian
media, like other strata of the nation’s socio-economic life, has been ravaged
by corruption malady.
media, like other strata of the nation’s socio-economic life, has been ravaged
by corruption malady.
Corruption
has succeeded in smearing the image of the pen-pushing profession. It has
incurably shattered the reputation of many reporters and editors. In fact, many
analysts are of the opinion that the country’s media is now a shadow of its
once glorious past.
has succeeded in smearing the image of the pen-pushing profession. It has
incurably shattered the reputation of many reporters and editors. In fact, many
analysts are of the opinion that the country’s media is now a shadow of its
once glorious past.
But amidst
the appalling state of affairs, speakers at the maiden edition of Campus
Journalism Dialogue (CJD), held at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), still
believe it is not yet doom for the Nigerian press and members of the Fourth
Estate.
the appalling state of affairs, speakers at the maiden edition of Campus
Journalism Dialogue (CJD), held at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), still
believe it is not yet doom for the Nigerian press and members of the Fourth
Estate.
Corruption fight on campuses
They
however, pointed out that the fight against corruption should be waged from
higher school campuses. They also opined that campus journalists should help
drive the advocacy campaign on ‘killing’ corruption.
however, pointed out that the fight against corruption should be waged from
higher school campuses. They also opined that campus journalists should help
drive the advocacy campaign on ‘killing’ corruption.
Corruption war vindictive
The event,
organised by YouthsDigest, an online/magazine, attracted hundreds of
students and erudite lecturers of BUK’s Mass Communication Department,
prominent journalists, celebrated media aides, and other invited guests. The
one-day dialogue, which was held at the Centre for Gender Studies, was
sponsored by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and themed: “Building the future of Nigerian media: The corruption
challenge.”
organised by YouthsDigest, an online/magazine, attracted hundreds of
students and erudite lecturers of BUK’s Mass Communication Department,
prominent journalists, celebrated media aides, and other invited guests. The
one-day dialogue, which was held at the Centre for Gender Studies, was
sponsored by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and themed: “Building the future of Nigerian media: The corruption
challenge.”
Chairman of
the occasion and executive director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, in
his welcome address, expressed cynicism on the sincerity of the federal government’s
anti-corruption war, describing it as selective and vindictive.
the occasion and executive director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, in
his welcome address, expressed cynicism on the sincerity of the federal government’s
anti-corruption war, describing it as selective and vindictive.
“Mr.
President cannot be said to be serious with his fight against corruption when
corrupt public office holders in his party are walking free. It is everything,
but not a war against graft when fraudulent politicians who looted public funds
are rewarded with appointments either as ministers, ambassadors and chairman of
MDAs’ governing council. This is not the best way to go about eliminating corruption,”
he said.
President cannot be said to be serious with his fight against corruption when
corrupt public office holders in his party are walking free. It is everything,
but not a war against graft when fraudulent politicians who looted public funds
are rewarded with appointments either as ministers, ambassadors and chairman of
MDAs’ governing council. This is not the best way to go about eliminating corruption,”
he said.
Rafsanjani
who is the head of Transparency International (TI) in Nigeria, underscored the
importance of building strong institutions that will help nurture the country’s
nascent democracy, rather than strong individuals or personalities who will
eventually bastardise the nation’s socio-democratic culture.
who is the head of Transparency International (TI) in Nigeria, underscored the
importance of building strong institutions that will help nurture the country’s
nascent democracy, rather than strong individuals or personalities who will
eventually bastardise the nation’s socio-democratic culture.
Denounce impunity
He called on
the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and youths to rise against
corruption and impunity in the country, stressing that student-writers should
be bold in reporting all illicit and fraudulent activities on their campuses.
the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and youths to rise against
corruption and impunity in the country, stressing that student-writers should
be bold in reporting all illicit and fraudulent activities on their campuses.
“I call on
you to rise against any sentiment, fight and condemn acts capable of
institutionalising corruption in your schools and in the larger society. Be the
vanguards of renaissance who will champion the entrenchment of positive ideals
and virtuous morals. As campus journalists, this is the most fundamental
obligation you owe the nation and posterity,” he said.
you to rise against any sentiment, fight and condemn acts capable of
institutionalising corruption in your schools and in the larger society. Be the
vanguards of renaissance who will champion the entrenchment of positive ideals
and virtuous morals. As campus journalists, this is the most fundamental
obligation you owe the nation and posterity,” he said.
Political power and looting
The executive
director of Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Mallam
Yunusa Zakari, who maintained that corruption is not about morality, but power;
said politicians wielding ‘enormous’ power are the ones who loot the country’s
treasury.
director of Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Mallam
Yunusa Zakari, who maintained that corruption is not about morality, but power;
said politicians wielding ‘enormous’ power are the ones who loot the country’s
treasury.
He noted
that only the collective will of the masses will help curb corruption in
government circles, stating that political will is not a terminology to be
found in the vocabulary of most politicians.
that only the collective will of the masses will help curb corruption in
government circles, stating that political will is not a terminology to be
found in the vocabulary of most politicians.
Zakari,
while speaking on “Effective use of
Information Technology in the fight against corruption”, highlighted the
effectiveness of governance, efficiency of government, transparency and
accountability, as the variables used to assess the level of corruption in
democracies globally.
while speaking on “Effective use of
Information Technology in the fight against corruption”, highlighted the
effectiveness of governance, efficiency of government, transparency and
accountability, as the variables used to assess the level of corruption in
democracies globally.
The CITAD
boss said the adoption of Information Technology (IT) will help provide tools
for governments to be effective and reach out to the general public, and other
marginalised groups, through e-service, and e-governance channels, among other
technological innovations for service delivery.
boss said the adoption of Information Technology (IT) will help provide tools
for governments to be effective and reach out to the general public, and other
marginalised groups, through e-service, and e-governance channels, among other
technological innovations for service delivery.
“Through e-services,
we can eliminate corrupt practices perpetrated by public officials. Direct
access to government’s services through electronic means forecloses the chance
of intermediaries demanding for kickbacks before rendering any service. There
is also a need for MDAs to have functional websites where the public can access
relevant information. With ICT, we will be able to launch protest-campaigns
against regressive policies. It is ICT that we also need to hold our leaders
accountable, and remind them about their electoral promises.
we can eliminate corrupt practices perpetrated by public officials. Direct
access to government’s services through electronic means forecloses the chance
of intermediaries demanding for kickbacks before rendering any service. There
is also a need for MDAs to have functional websites where the public can access
relevant information. With ICT, we will be able to launch protest-campaigns
against regressive policies. It is ICT that we also need to hold our leaders
accountable, and remind them about their electoral promises.
“Oppressive regimes across the world have
evolved draconian policies and measures to censor the use of social media and
other ICT channels by their masses. These autocratic leaders have even gone
ahead to impose tax and sanctions on the use of Twitter, Facebook and other
social media platforms, in a bid to check public furore emanating from their
tyrannical leadership,” Zakari added.
evolved draconian policies and measures to censor the use of social media and
other ICT channels by their masses. These autocratic leaders have even gone
ahead to impose tax and sanctions on the use of Twitter, Facebook and other
social media platforms, in a bid to check public furore emanating from their
tyrannical leadership,” Zakari added.
Misleading headlines
A writer and
fiction editor, Nana Hauwa Sule, while delivering a paper themed, “Story telling: How to effectively tell your
story”, advised the participants to avoid casting misleading headlines
and writing fake reports,
fiction editor, Nana Hauwa Sule, while delivering a paper themed, “Story telling: How to effectively tell your
story”, advised the participants to avoid casting misleading headlines
and writing fake reports,
She emphasised
the need for them, as aspiring journalists, to ensure that their stories are a
reflection of truth, factuality and objectivity, saying they should first
authenticate any piece of information they receive before writing stories.
the need for them, as aspiring journalists, to ensure that their stories are a
reflection of truth, factuality and objectivity, saying they should first
authenticate any piece of information they receive before writing stories.
“As young journalists and writers, think
globally, and not locally. It is also necessary you have a unique writing
style. Don’t forget, the intro or lead of your reports, stories and articles
should be punchy and concise. Yet they should be attention-grabbing,” Sule
advised.
globally, and not locally. It is also necessary you have a unique writing
style. Don’t forget, the intro or lead of your reports, stories and articles
should be punchy and concise. Yet they should be attention-grabbing,” Sule
advised.
Search for higher grades
Another
speaker at the event, Mr. Muhuyi Magagi, who spoke on “Fighting corruption on campus”, opined that the masses are a
replica of the corrupt leaders they always vote into power.
speaker at the event, Mr. Muhuyi Magagi, who spoke on “Fighting corruption on campus”, opined that the masses are a
replica of the corrupt leaders they always vote into power.
Magaji, head
of Kano State’s Anti-Corruption Agency, said although the education sector is
bedeviled with endemic corruption, what he called ‘extortion and sextortion’
are the two major types of corruption on campuses. He described ‘sextortion’ as
sex for grade, while ‘extortion’ as money for grade.
of Kano State’s Anti-Corruption Agency, said although the education sector is
bedeviled with endemic corruption, what he called ‘extortion and sextortion’
are the two major types of corruption on campuses. He described ‘sextortion’ as
sex for grade, while ‘extortion’ as money for grade.
He pointed
out that fearless, unbiased, and patriotic media practitioners are needed for
the war against corruption to achieve its desired goals.
out that fearless, unbiased, and patriotic media practitioners are needed for
the war against corruption to achieve its desired goals.
“In their
bid to fight corruption and install accountability in conducting public
business in Nigeria, the media must ensure corruption is thoroughly
investigated and exposed.
bid to fight corruption and install accountability in conducting public
business in Nigeria, the media must ensure corruption is thoroughly
investigated and exposed.
“Investigative
and articulate journalism is critical in achieving better reporting and
handling of corruption cases. The media should uphold professional standards of
accuracy, objectivity and responsibility. Adequate sensitisation and mobilisation
of the citizenry by the media are necessary to ensure high depth of the
attitudinal and perceptual change needed especially in Nigeria where corruption
has become endemic.
and articulate journalism is critical in achieving better reporting and
handling of corruption cases. The media should uphold professional standards of
accuracy, objectivity and responsibility. Adequate sensitisation and mobilisation
of the citizenry by the media are necessary to ensure high depth of the
attitudinal and perceptual change needed especially in Nigeria where corruption
has become endemic.
“The people,
as whistle blowers, should also make information on corrupt practices available
to the media. Media practitioners should also embark on self-regulation, shun
bribes or “brown envelopes,” and stop engaging with corrupt people. The media
should be the vanguard for demanding accountability and transparency in
governance,” he said.
as whistle blowers, should also make information on corrupt practices available
to the media. Media practitioners should also embark on self-regulation, shun
bribes or “brown envelopes,” and stop engaging with corrupt people. The media
should be the vanguard for demanding accountability and transparency in
governance,” he said.
Enforce professional ethics
As for
Jaafar Jaafar, Publisher of Daily Nigerian, it is a utopian dream hoping that
the country will be rid of corruption someday. He said there are many systemic
issues preventing critical institutions from functioning effectively.
Jaafar Jaafar, Publisher of Daily Nigerian, it is a utopian dream hoping that
the country will be rid of corruption someday. He said there are many systemic
issues preventing critical institutions from functioning effectively.
“It is so
unfortunate that corruption cases disappear in the news media within a short
period without their resolution to the anti-corruption war. Tenable pieces of
evidence to support corruption cases are rarely unearthed by the Nigerian media
to assist the judiciary. Our media platforms are perceived by social
commentators and scholars as lame ducks whose knees are too weak to sustain a
long battle in the fight against corruption.
unfortunate that corruption cases disappear in the news media within a short
period without their resolution to the anti-corruption war. Tenable pieces of
evidence to support corruption cases are rarely unearthed by the Nigerian media
to assist the judiciary. Our media platforms are perceived by social
commentators and scholars as lame ducks whose knees are too weak to sustain a
long battle in the fight against corruption.
“Also, media
performance in the war against corruption is hindered by sensationalism,
flippancy, proprietorial influence, regional chauvinism, and the emergence of
junk journalism. Thus, attempts to enforce the ethics of the profession in the
fight against corruption have been somewhat shallow and superficial,” Jaafar
said.
performance in the war against corruption is hindered by sensationalism,
flippancy, proprietorial influence, regional chauvinism, and the emergence of
junk journalism. Thus, attempts to enforce the ethics of the profession in the
fight against corruption have been somewhat shallow and superficial,” Jaafar
said.
The dialogue
organizer, Mr. Gidado Shuaib, said CJD is not just a platform to identify
teething challenges affecting campus journalists and crops of talented
student-writers, but an avenue to brainstorm with a view to proffering lasting
solutions to highlighted issues.
organizer, Mr. Gidado Shuaib, said CJD is not just a platform to identify
teething challenges affecting campus journalists and crops of talented
student-writers, but an avenue to brainstorm with a view to proffering lasting
solutions to highlighted issues.
The YouthsDigest’s editor, thanked CISLAC
for sponsoring the event, urging the participants to always abide by the ethics
of news reportage. While calling on them to eschew negative vices, Shuaib urged
them to shun fake news and hate speeches so as to avoid inciting violent
protests on campus.
for sponsoring the event, urging the participants to always abide by the ethics
of news reportage. While calling on them to eschew negative vices, Shuaib urged
them to shun fake news and hate speeches so as to avoid inciting violent
protests on campus.
In a chat
with our a 400-level Law student and one of the participant, Miss Halima Ogido,
described the event as ‘spectacular, memorable and highly-educative’.
with our a 400-level Law student and one of the participant, Miss Halima Ogido,
described the event as ‘spectacular, memorable and highly-educative’.
“As a young
poetess who is very passionate about becoming a prolific author, I learnt some
interesting tips on writing. The erudite resource persons who spoke, indeed
broadened our horizons on news reporting, opinion piece writing, together with
other literary writings,” she said.
poetess who is very passionate about becoming a prolific author, I learnt some
interesting tips on writing. The erudite resource persons who spoke, indeed
broadened our horizons on news reporting, opinion piece writing, together with
other literary writings,” she said.