Press, govt can`t be institutional partners — NUJ President
NUJ National President, Ndagene Akwu, says the press and government are natural adversaries, and cannot become institutional partners.
Akwu’s view was contained in a paper entitled “Electoral reportage and ethics of journalism’’ he delivered yesterday in Abuja at a two-day media forum ahead of 2007 general elections for journalists.
“Democracy requires people to make choices and decisions. Democracy equally fosters a never ending struggle between two rights.
“The government’s obligation to protect national security and the people’s right to know is based on the ability of journalists to access information,” he said.
He also stated that: “Government sometimes tries to limit access to information, which it considers too sensitive for general consumption. But journalists are fully justified in pursuing such information.’’
Akwu said that the media had a responsibility to educate the electorate to understand their civic rights, the political system and the contest they were expected to decide.
“We must therefore insist on a free and independent media if our efforts to instill a viable democracy is not to be jeopardised,” he said.
Mr Albe’ric Kacou, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria had earlier played up the Nigerian media, including the fight for the independence of the country and the struggle against military rule.
“It is our hope and belief that the press will uphold this lofty tradition by contributing positively to the success of this historic election process.
“It is equally our hope that the press will be guided by its own professional values of respect for truth, fairness and objectivity at this very critical period,” he said.
Goodwill messages also came from British and Canadian High Commissions and the European Union at the occasion that was well attended by media experts across the country.