By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has said that for a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owe the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling opposition.
Gov Makinde maintained, strongly, that it is imperative that the media must stand up to those in power and put them in check in the interest of democracy and democratization.
The Governor spoke on Thursday during the opening of a 3-Day Retreat held by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Press Corps in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Speaking at the retreat with the theme, “Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy, Makinde
described the media as the fulcrum of the society, because “the society relies on the media for critical information”.
Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Governor said, “For a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media owe the society the responsibility of keeping watch on the ruling party to prevent it from using its power to stifle democracy by crippling 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.
“In this regard, you have been doing well. But you must strive to do better. Do not allow yourselves to be cowed or silenced at this trying period.
“I encourage you to speak truth to power and to project our great party, the PDP, as its partners in progress.
“You know what we represent and having walked with us for so long, you must have been convinced that the PDP is the only platform that can bring genuine development in our nation”, he said.
Continuing, the Governor said, “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”, he said’.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of PDP Press Corps, Mr Samuel Ogidan reminded the political reporters that their responsibility is immense, while they operate under pressures, with several obstacles placed on their way.
According to Ogidan, “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.
“This retreat provides the much-needed pause from our daily grind, giving us the space to reflect on our craft, sharpen our skills, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of journalism in Nigeris, he said’.
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