From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
What is the role of the media in a multi-party democracy? That was the subject of discourse at a retreat for journalists covering the activities of the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP).
The retreat, with the theme, “Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy”, and which was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, recently, provided an opportunity for journalists, academics and the political class to deeply reflect on the role of the media in a multiparty democracy.
Nigeria, since the dawn of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, has operated as a multi party democracy. From the three political parties registered by the military regime of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in 1998, the country currently has a total of 18 registered political parties.
In the 2023 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC), clinched the presidential seats to retain its place as the ruling party. However, APC, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP) also won governorship seats across the country.
Similarly, in the last general elections, no fewer than seven political parties, including the APC, PDP, LP, NNPP, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) won seats into the federal legislature. Thus, consolidating Nigeria’s position as a multiparty democracy.
However, the question remains: what is the role of the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, in fostering development in a multiparty party democracy?
From the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde to the academics, and journalists, as well, there was a consensus that the media has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the people are not short changed in a multiparty democracy.
Makinde, who was represented by Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, while setting the tone for the discourse, in a keynote address, noted that the media is the “fulcrum of the society”, with it role well cut out, especially in a democracy.
According to the governor, “ the media is regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, but I think it is more apposite to describe it as the fulcrum of the society, because the society relies on the media for critical information. Take away the media and you take the world back to the Stone Age. We cannot imagine our world without the media. That speaks to the essentiality of the media.
“The media also connects the world; it connects the people to the government and the government to the people. So, the media is a bridge. It also mirrors the society to the government and government to the people.
“While all these functions of the media are important, I think the most critical of them is its role as the watchdog. As the society’s watchdog, the media keeps the political class and other members of the society on their toes.”
He maintained that it is the duty of the media to hold the government accountable on behalf of the people, especially as public offices are held in trust for the people. According to him, it is only when public officials are held accountable that the public interest can be served.
According to him, “the media is supposed to hold those in government accountable on behalf of the people. Public offices are held in trust for the people, so they must be run in the interest of the public. It is only when those holding public offices are held accountable that public interest is served. It is then that we have transparency.
“So, in this context, transparency is the pursuit of public interest. But there is a flipside; do journalists seek accountability for altruistic or pernicious reasons? Are they public-spirited or vindictive? Are they pursuing personal agenda or championing the cause of a paymaster? Do they pursue sectional or national interest? To come to equity, your hand must not be soiled.”
Nevertheless, Professor Isaac Adeniran of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), listed the role of the media in a multiparty democracy to include shaping discourse on developmental issues, providing a platform for marginalized voices, as well as encouraging issue based politics.
He said: “A multi-party democracy flourishes when citizens are actively engaged in the political process. The media fosters this engagement by disseminating information about political platforms, ideologies, and the activities of various political parties. By educating the electorate on their rights, the electoral process, and civic responsibilities, you ensure that more Nigerians are politically conscious and participate in decision-making processes.
“Moreover, the media provides a platform for marginalized voices, including women, youth, and minority groups, enabling a more inclusive democracy. Development cannot occur without inclusivity, and by amplifying these voices, you create a diverse and representative political landscape that caters to the needs of all segments of society.”
He added that “one of the challenges in Nigeria’s multi-party democracy has been the focus on personality politics rather than issue-based discourse. As journalists, you have the power to steer the political conversation away from the cult of personality and toward policy analysis and debate.
“By emphasizing the implications of policies proposed by political parties and their leaders, you shift the focus from political showmanship to substance, which is crucial for development.”
Adeniran noted that “in a multi-party democracy, political competition is intense. Unfortunately, this competition can sometimes lead to violence, ethnic tensions, or polarization. The media must act as a mediator, promoting peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution. Sensationalist reporting and inflammatory rhetoric can fuel division, but balanced and responsible journalism can foster dialogue and promote national unity.”
For Makinde, the media owes the society a duty to keep a keen watch of the ruling party in a democracy, so that it does not cripple the opposition, thereby stifling democracy.
According to him, “for a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owes the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling the opposition. Remember French Judge, Baron De Montesquieu, 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”, he said.
Consequently, the Oyo governor added that “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. We cannot have sustainable development without the pursuit of public interest on a sustained basis.
“So, for me, the role of the media in fostering transparency and development in a multi-party democracy is simple: hold public office holders accountable to ensure the pursuit of public interest and hold its members accountable to ensure the pursuit of public interest. “
The chairman of the PDP Press Corps, Samuel Ogidan posits that journalists, especially those reporting politics be consistently informed, in other to perform their watch dog role creditably.
“As journalists covering politics, we serve as watchdogs of democracy. Our responsibility is immense, and so are the pressures and obstacles we face. The fast pace of political events, the complexity of governance, and the shifting nature of public opinion demand that we stay sharp, informed, and adaptable.
“We all know that investigative journalism remains a cornerstone of political reporting. It is our responsibility to dig deeper and uncover the truth that is often buried beneath layers of bureaucracy and deception, “ Ogidan stated.
