Oyo State Gov, Seyi Makinde, yesterday advised media organisations and practitioners not to allow themselves to be cowed or silenced while fostering democracy and development in Nigeria.
Makinde, represented by his Chief Press Secretary ,CPS, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, gave the advice during a retreat in Ibadan for journalists covering the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat has “The Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy” as its theme.
Makinde said: “The media, as the society’s mirror and watchdog, must always speak truth to the power, hold government accountable, and keep the political class and other members of the society on their toes.
“The media must ensure that its platforms are not controlled only by those in power or those who have the wherewithal.
“Just like the public office is held in trust, the public space which the media controls is also held in trust for the people by media practitioners.
“Just as the public office-holders should not abuse the trust, media practitioners should not also abuse or misuse the trust.
“Development is a consequence of the pursuit of public interest. When all sectors of the society pursue public interest, there will be development”.
The Governor added that for a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owed the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party.
He said this was necessary to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition.
“Remember the French judge, Baron De Montesquieu, who warned that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
“It is, therefore, a key function of the media and a task that must be done that you prevent the absolutism of the ruling party or the majority party”, Makinde said.
