A Free And Responsible Press In An Era Of National Challenges

BY IBRAHIM KEGBEGBE

As far back as the 1990s while one was still in the primary tier of the education sector, a question that was usually asked, was: which of these professions is most critical to society – law, journalism, medicine or farming.

Not only was this a subject of debate for academic purposes, it actually was a knotty practical issue to resolve, in the sense that each performed a critical role in the sustenance and survival of society.

In this day of great global challenge, posed by the Corona Virus pandemic, code-named COVID-19, that question has become more than relevant..

In fact, if you were asked the same question, what would be your response?

For the purpose of this discourse, may we narrow the options to two – journalists and doctors and this is on account of some prevailing issues.

Well, doctors and journalists perform different but complementary roles in any society, and this could be seen from the contributions and impacts they have been making since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Ironically however, no commensurate commendation seems to come the way of journalists.

Without any sense of jealousy one observes that so much accolade is given to the doctors at this period of time but not to journalists.

At this juncture, it might be necessary to paint some scenarios: how would it have been not to have journalists on hand to carry the reports of the virus, vis avis its impact in nations of the world. In fact, how would it have been possible to cope if there were no journalists to cover, process and disseminate the angles of developments concerning the virus?

How the masses of the people been able to know what their leaders at the different levels are doing or saying concerning the pandemic?

Suppose there was a media blackout in one form or another, what would have been the outcome.

Certainly, the scenario is better imagined than real, but it shows in a breath, the critical role which the journalist plays in society generally, and in a moment of crisis particularly.

Doctors are meant to treat the sick, the infected people, but it is the duty of journalists to disseminate information, given by the doctors to the citizens, on how the virus could be curbed.

The absence of mass communication within a society therefore could better be imagined. In the face of the COVID-19 failure of mass communication would have been disastrous, a global tragedy never imagined.

The ethical imperative for the press is the challenge of being largely responsible for making the open society work. If nothing else, the government in the land should be in position to appreciate this journalistic contribution in very symbolic ways.

It is for this understanding that people crave for a free press, which means the ability of the press to carry out its functions unhindered. It also implied not restricting the mobility of journalistsespecially at a moment of crisis like this.

Generally, it means there should not be any law restricting freedom of speech or of the press as that should be seen as barbaric in this era of democracy.

Harassment of journalists by the armed forces in Nigeria, in respect of the law made by the federal government that citizens in some states should remain indoors for two weeks, can only undermine the journalists’ dignity and sense of Independence. But much more, it would lead to hindrance in his performance of his duty as a time of need.

It is highly preposterous and inappropriate for any governmental agencies to be a real and substantial threat to press freedom.

Nigeria is emulating America democratically and the view of press freedom is so deeply embedded in the American Psyche, any contrary position, as supporters of broadcast regulation have learned, is likely to be as a “highly inefficient, illiberal one, quite contrary to the nation’s tradition. So, if the number one citizen of the United States speaks ill of the journalists now, it means something has gone wrong with the individual not the Democratic system of the country.

So, every governmental parastatals in Nigeria should be lenient with journalists as they do to other professions, especially the doctors.

If journalists are not treated as they are supposed to be treated, it is as if we are clamouring for darkness. Any society that is not informed will be totally deformed.

The acknowledgement of the efforts of the Lagos State Government by the Federal Government, that Lagos State is working healthfully, could only make a meaning if citizens have access to information during the two-week-stay-at-home order.

Part of the duties of journalists are to inform the present audience and to keep the processed information in archive for posterity.

That way, those coming behind would be able to understand what happened before their time. Now citizens at home in obedience to the instructions of the government, but such citizens require information of things happening around them, especially as it concerns COVID-19.

Whose duty is it to provide these stay-at-home persons needed information, the answer is obvious.

It is obvious similarly, how relevant or otherwise the journalist is, not just in the-day-to-day running of society, but at a time of great challenges like this.