Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodima says, Nigeria Media have taken an impressive path of self examination considering it as “germane in our collective bid to enhance good governance and strengthen our democracy.”
Uzodima was addressing the opening ceremony of the 2023 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors on Friday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
“The last time you were here, I harped on the need for Journalists to embrace development journalism in our quest to sustain and strengthen our democracy.
“While the media have the responsibility of holding public officials to account, they should, in addition, encourage the Government through constructive criticism and well-intentioned suggestions on how things could be done differently to achieve better results,” he said.
Uzodima noted that the ultimate goal should be the development and unity of the country and nothing else.
The Governor observed that “it is a thing of interest that even among politicians you find many media practitioners and even members of the clergy.
According to him, the political class, the clergy and the media are quite instrumental in determining what happens in most countries including Nigeria.
Uzodima, therefore, advised the trio to work in synergy for collective survival of the country.
Quoting an American Writer, Reporter and Commentator, Walter Lippmann, the Governor said, “the media shoot information into the mind of citizens and the Citizens readily accept and act on such information.
He, therefore, called on the media to be conscious of what flows from their pens, because, “what it shoots into the minds of the citizenry, can make or break both our democracy and our country.”
