From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to free and responsible journalism in the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke during the unveiling of the book, ‘Writing For Media and Monetising It,’ written by the Senior Vice Chairman, Leadership Newspaper, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, however, said freedom comes with responsibility.
Idris also said the Tinubu administration was dedicated to creating an environment where journalists could work without intimidation, and with the assurance that their rights would be acknowledged and protected.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is also important to reaffirm the commitment of the Tinubu administration to free and responsible journalism. We understand that a society can only flourish when its media organs are free to report the truth without fear of retribution and to equally hold those in authority accountable.
“The President Tinubu administration is, therefore, dedicated to creating an environment where journalists can work freely, without intimidation, and with the assurance that their rights will be acknowledged and protected.
“However, freedom comes with responsibility. As we champion the cause of a free press, it is incumbent on the media to exercise this freedom with a sense of duty, ethics and patriotism. It is crucial that the information disseminated to the public is accurate, balanced, and devoid of sensationalism,” Idris said.
Idris further said the role of the media in shaping public opinion and promoting national unity cannot be overstated. “We must all strive to ensure that this role is played with the utmost responsibility, while we work closely to advance the course of good governance in our country. Nevertheless, while Azu, the impeccable gentleman that he is, has helped us with a compass to materialise our creativity, it is also instructive that as media practitioners, we put ethics in the front row of our practice. We must be wary of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, as well as new cankerworms that destroy individual and corporate reputation, and above all, destabilise the society,” Idris also said.
Earlier, the Minister said Ishiekwene has earned himself a reputation as a man of many parts in the media industry.
“He has led large media organisations, has been active in industry bodies, at home and abroad, has been a founder, judged prestigious media competitions, and taught and trained generations of young practitioners.
“Amid all of these, one fact cannot be missed and that is that at his very core, Azu sees himself as a writer; a man whose primary calling and first love is putting pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, and shaping public discourse in the most insightful and illuminating of ways.
“One gets the sense of a veteran who is happiest when faced with a blank page, waiting to be filled with words. He has done this for more than three decades, and we know he’s not retiring from the art and business of penmanship anytime soon,” Idris stated.
In her remarks, Nda-Isaiah said the landscape of the Nigerian media, like the rest of the world, is vast and varied, encompassing print, broadcast and digital platforms, each with its unique influence and reach and she dared say that at the heart of print media were the columnists who are the voices that provide analysis, critique, and insight.
“Columnists (well good columnists I must add), are more than just writers, they are thought leaders who interpret events, offer unique perspectives and challenge the status quo. Their words have the power to inspire change, spark debate and mobilise action.
“Yet, interestingly, and might I add unfortunately, many columnists and writers the world over are broke for lack of a better word.
“I believe it is this conundrum (I had to look up this word to be sure I was using it correctly) that birthed the idea of writing this book in the author,” Nda-Isaiah said.
Reviewing the book, Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ Anchor, Reuben Abati, said in terms of procedure, what Ishiekwene set out to do, for the benefit of the ordinary enthusiasts, was that journalism is not a money-making machine for the reporter, the editor, the producer, or the cameraman, especially in a country like Nigeria, where due to the general dispossession of the economy, media owners are struggling to pay salaries.
Ishiekwene said authoring the book is the debt he owed his profession. “It is part of the debt that I owe to my profession, according to Francis Bacon. This is part of the repayment of the debt I owe my profession.”
Ishiekwene also said with the book, he hoped to get people to read and also to inspire them and by inspiring them, he hoped he must have succeeded in inspiring journalists, who will be greater than his generation.
In attendance were the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo; the immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim; Chairman of leadership Newspaper, Zainab Nda-Isaiah; publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka; and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, among others.
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