I’m again filled with gratitude and some relief for the overwhelming response and feedback from you, friends across Oyo state, Nigeria and even global opinionists from my last column. Your various engagements have enriched the understanding of our democracy, and also represented the role of technology in amplifying our voices. But more importantly, I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to our friends in the media, whose efforts have enabled my words to reach a wider audience, and have engineered a national conversation that transcends geographical and ideological boundaries.
The media is the backbone of modern democracy, – it shoulders the weight of information dissemination, accountability, and social commentary. It’s nearly impossible in today’s world for democratic principles to flourish without the media’s touch, torch and watchful eye, – they shed light on societal ills, promote transparency, and facilitate public discourse, – the media empowers citizens to participate meaningfully in various democratic processes. This symbiotic relationship between media and democracy is paramount, it ensures that power remains accountable to the people.
Globally, the media has been instrumental in advancing democratic causes, from advocating human rights to exposing corruption. In Nigeria, the media has played a crucial part in shaping public opinion, holding leaders accountable, and championing social justice. The likes of Norway, New Zealand, and Finland demonstrate how a free and active media can elevate a nation’s democratic standing, and cultivate an environment where citizens engage constructively with governance. Our own nation’s history is also replete with examples of media-driven reforms that showcased the sector’s potential as a catalyst for progress.
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In developing nations, a robust media institution can be a transformative force indeed. By helping to promote good governance, highlighting development priorities, and amplifying marginalised voices, the media can drive social change and economic progress. The intersection of technology and media has created unprecedented opportunities for citizen engagement, and makes it an exciting time for democracy. In all of these conversations, we must recognise the media’s true capacity to shape public discourse, influence policy, and hold leaders accountable.
Truly, we must acknowledge the media capacity for harm. Fake news, disinformation, and hate speech can spread like wildfires, and they’re fueled by media platforms. It’s bad, ugly and cancerous. Yet, it’s important to recognise that media isn’t the spark that ignites these destructive forces; rather, it’s a reflection of deeper societal and ideological fissures. The media can amplify, that’s right, – but it didn’t create these toxic narratives. We can combat this when we address the root causes of these issues, rather than merely treating symptoms. We can counter harmful ideologies and promote inclusivity, empathy, and truth, – we can look beyond the battlefield of misinformation and drive the ideal of a responsible, ethical media that uplifts our shared humanity.
While traditional governance structures once thrived in the past without modern media, today’s world demands adaptability. The pace of technological innovation (like I noted last week) necessitates a dynamic and responsive media environment, capable of responding to emerging challenges, – rather than clinging to outdated models, we can harness this evolution to strengthen our democracy. This requires our intentional resolve, to embrace innovation, invest in media literacy, and encourage collaboration between media outlets, civil society, and policymakers.
Regrettably, media personnel worldwide face increasing threats, from censorship to physical harm, simply for performing their duties. These assaults on media freedom are an affront to democracy itself. I vigorously oppose such clampdowns, we all must, and recognise the media’s indispensable role in safeguarding our collective rights. The global community must also unite in condemning attacks on media freedom, and ensure journalists and media institutions can operate without fear of reprisal.
I believe strongly in a steadfast advocacy for media freedom, because the institution has a potential to build an ideal democracy. Through my experiences, I’ve seen the media’s capacity to hold leaders accountable, drive reforms and institutional change, and promote social progress. A functional media is our best hope for a resilient and inclusive democracy. When we actually support media independence, we empower ourselves as citizens, we help to build a society where diverse voices are heard and valued.
Folks, can we envision a society where the media’s voice is silenced or severely curtailed? The consequences would be catastrophic, – to imagine the least; information blackouts, unchecked corruption, and social stagnation. It’s our collective responsibility to safeguard media freedom, and ensure its continued role as the guardian of our democracy and its lifelong existence. In this pursuit and understanding, we must also recognise that a strong media is not an adversary, but a great partner in our shared quest for a more just, equitable, prosperous and democratic society.
Let me know how you are using the media to push positive change and for our collective good, and how you think the institution can serve us better? See you next week, but until then, please, enjoy your weekend.
Amofin Beulah Adeoye
Friday, October 4, 2024.
