Two top media scholars have warned the Nigerian media against reliance on government for funding to enable them play their roles to the society well.
They declared that relying on government funding would compromise their objectivity and ability to make government accountable.
The two scholar are the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University, Prof Jide Jimoh, and the National President, Association of Communications Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, ACSPN, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji.
In their separate remarks on Wednesday at the maiden edition of the Communication and Media Studies Seminar Series, the professors suggested that the media should rather opt for alternative means of funding which would guarantee independence.
Jimoh said his position was premised on the role constitutionally assigned to the press to hold the government accountable.
“How would it be possible for the media to hold government accountable if it is the same organ or body funding it?” Jimoh asked.
He reasoned that the same problem of lack of independence would also arise if funding of the media was also left in the hands of individuals or some organisations with personal interests.
He therefore suggested that funding should be sourced from organisations or foundations with the genuine interest of the public in mind.
Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Olatunji emphasised the imperative of the need for the media to choose between protecting the interest of the larger society or personal interest.
Harping on the significance of “ethical altruism” which he said bordered on protecting the interest of the larger society, Olatunji concluded:
“If you want to change the society, you don’t have to depend on government funding.”
The event is the maiden edition of the Communication and Media Studies Seminar Series and organised by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, FCMS.
The topic of the lecture is “How Media Narratives Shape Poverty and Policy in Nigeria.”
Held at the Ph.D. Class of the faculty, it was delivered by Dr. Olasunkanmi Arowolo of the Department of Journalism, FCMS, LASU.
While the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello was the Chief Host, Prof. Jide Jimoh, was the Host and Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, the Moderator.
The title of the seminar was hinged on the PhD thesis of Arowolo with the title: “Poverty, Politics and the Press: Media Framing, Policy Narrative and Democratic Accountability in Nigeria.”
The programme forms part of the faculty’s efforts to encourage discussion on communication and public policy and ultimately, add to knowledge.
Students, researchers and media professionals attended the event.
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