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Development Analysis Vol.1

By: Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria)

Topic: The Challenge of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: A case for strengthening the Media

The challenge of democratic consolidation and economic development stare Nigeria in the face as she enters the 21^st century. Conventional approaches to addressing this pressing problem often ignore the role of the media as key players in the democratization process and nation building. Yet, pragmatic wisdom proves that the media, if properly positioned within the matrix of governance, can be a strong and vibrant force for the emergence and consolidation of democracy.

The Nigerian development story has consistently been one helpless struggle with mass poverty, illiteracy, disease and corruption.  Inspite of the country’s huge human capacity and material wealth, the aspirations of poor Nigerians have been repeatedly dashed by the pervasiveness of authoritarian culture, patriarchal gendered policies, and an overbearing political bureaucracy. Rather than focus on increasing the choices, liberties and quality of life of the people, the government have been overtly concerned with the formal elements of development, especially those that are only connected to structural changes and institutional building to the neglect of properly locating people as  ‘ends’ in development. As eminent scholars like Amartya Sen and Arjun Sengunpta have argued, unless a government puts its people at the epicenter of its development goals, little or no positive returns would be achieved.

From the perspective of human-centered development therefore, Nigeria remains a flawed example. While successive governments continue to pursue increase in GDP’s, infrastructural reforms, and elite-centered politics, its citizenry wallow further in destitution, social marginalization and endless conflicts. The bleakness of the situation has led some development skeptics to regard Nigeria as impervious to progress. Such critics have also, anchored their conclusions on the chilling statistics of the UNDP 2005 Human Development Indices, which shows that 70 percent of Nigerians, [about 84million] still live below the bread line; that nearly a third of the population over the age of 15 are illiterate and that more than 45% of the country’s children are forced into  labour. As if these are not bad enough, about 3.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS while several thousands of people are homeless.

In the face of all these, the political landscape offers no respite.  Nigeria, today, reveals a depressing catalog of corruption, social injustices, and an alarming disregard for the rule of law. In its 2005 corruption perception index, Transparency International rated Nigeria the 6^th most corrupt nation in the world, while Freedom House, in its 2005 annual assessment of democracy, gave Nigeria a downward grade on account of the increased threats and attacks against the media, the statutory restriction on the rights of trade unions, and greater violence in the Niger delta region. The judiciary, last bastion in the defense of rule of law, is also culpable. Regarding the integrity of judges, the National Judicial Council has dismissed at least 20 judges in the past five years for accepting bribes and making improper judgments, some of which were perceived to be in favor of the ruling party or the government. 

Albeit the Nigerian tale is not all bad news, there are glimmers of hope: most recently the current administration aided by institutions of the civic sector has recorded some achievements in combating corruption. Several key corrupt officials including the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, and two state governors; Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau state, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Deprieye Alamiyesigha, have been exposed and being prosecuted by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFFC). However, more needs to be done with respect to human rights protection, and developing effective poverty reduction strategies.

The media is central to forging a resolution, in my view, to the Nigerian dilemma. Aside from the fact that, historically, the Nigerian media have earned a honored place in the minds of our citizens, they have been credited for their resilient spirit and commitment to safeguarding the country’s nascent democracy. Their historic role in salvaging the country from the shackles of military junta in the early sixties and more prominently in the early nineties validates the claim that the media is a fundamental force for national development.

Since the media is the communicative link between the government and the people, it invariably serve as a crucial platform through which the people can claim and assert their basic rights, challenge structures, institution and systems of injustice and oppression. The media, through investigative and unbiased reporting, can expose how existing systems, policies and practices perpetuate poverty and injustice, thus giving a voice to the poor and marginalized people in the society, and thereby creating the momentum for social change.

Locating the media as a central force in democratic development raises the challenge of dealing with the rigors of a participatory approach to nation building. Since human centered development ultimately calls for a view to frame issues from a human rights perspective, particularly the right to information projected through the media, it therefore creates an active process of citizens’ participation in governance, one that lays emphasis on the right of individuals to appropriate information and services that enable them make well-informed and enlightened choices.

However, the fact remains that the media also have the capacity to breed contempt, aid social injustice and manipulate public sentiments to the detriment of national goals. The level of corruption and lack of professionalism in the media today creates an anxiety that suggest that if Nigeria is to secure and sustain its modest achievement in many quarters,  redeeming the media from political manipulation and ethical deformities holds a valuable promise for national progress in holistic terms. These are valid concerns but they need not distract from the urgent challenge of designing a viable, professional, independent and free media in service of a democratic Nigeria.

To be sure, transforming the country depends, in large measure, on  efforts channeled at entrenching liberal democracy as a national political value , as well as other efforts to bolster the rule of law, reform the judicial and security sectors; enhance legislative training and effectiveness; by ensuring accountability and transparency,  civic education, and public participation in governance. All these, however, will come to naught except a fundamental review of the national ethical framework is promoted through a free and independent media which remains a principal means to, and product of good governance.

As Nigeria forges ahead in her democratic struggles especially with the forth coming election around the corner, strengthening the Nigerian media to become facilitators of positive social change  rather than as disinterested observers can contribute considerably ; to combating the exclusion and marginalization of the poor, generate greater participation, accountability and transparency in governance.  This, to my mind, is a key to true progress in Nigeria.

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About the author: Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria) has an M.A in International Law and Human Rights from the University for Peace Costa Rica, and B.A degree in Philosophy from Obafemi Awolowo University , Nigeria . She was also a fellow of the UNU-IC courses, United Nations University, Japan. Idowu’s professional interest includes; advocacy for constitutional guarantee and concrete implementation of all human rights. In the past she has worked as a Program Associate for Freedom house, Nigeria project, where collaborated extensively with media and civil society organization in the quest for promotion of human rights, good governance and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. She is currently working as a Development Analyst with the African Regional Youth Initiative.

Idowu chose this topic on democratic consolidation because "Nigeria is currently at another transitional phase and challenges trailing the country with regards to this issue is indeed enormous; on the political, social as well as the economic end. There have been more than three suspected politically motivated assassinations this year alone, the judiciary also is been challenged by the several impeachment saga going on the country, while the economic and financial crimes commission – which is Nigeria’s foremost and powerful anti-graft body is been ridiculed by accusations of selectivity. The media equally have not escaped some criticisms in all these issues; they are currently placed on a hot-seat to ensure that objective and unbiased reporting remains their watch-word has they carry out their constitutional responsibility of playing the watch-dog role."