The Press As A Nation Builder (II)

This is the concluding part of the article published last Friday.

These days, the Press should be occupied with mod
eling a new Nigeria and the new Nigerian.  Modeling heroes that people can believe in. Show up areas where it is working in the country.  Expose areas for national investment and help set in pace ideals that would lead to the emergence of a stronger nation. Sometimes, in a bid at sensationalism, the wrong pictures are painted about this great country of ours and we are shown to be less than who we are.
National identity is constructed by molding different ethnic groups or tribes into a nation, especially since colonialists had used divide and rule tactics to maintain its domination in several countries.  Many new nations are plagued by tribal rivalry between ethnic groupings within the nation and this sometimes results in near-disintegration as had happened in our own country four decades ago.
The present ethnic, political and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the Press a free role in not only reporting but educating the citizenry on the need to embrace tolerance.  The task of nation building therefore must remain an all-inclusive one, and free and fair elections must be a prerequisite recipe for the building of a new Nigeria, a changed society which is built on equity, equal representation, equal opportunities, co-operation and understanding. The Press has a big role to play.
The role of the Press in education and health sector is far more important than its role in the election campaigns. It’s the job of the print media to show the true picture of the society.  But it is unfortunate that some of the Press is biased.  They are projecting what they want instead of projecting the reality.  Access to people demands a very responsible behaviour.  Their role should be to spread love instead of cultivating hatred, which is of no use.
The plays crucial role in educating the people and to provide them clear picture of what’s going on in the world because ignorance is a major challenge. Factual reporting is the essence of journalism and if the Press starts reporting facts, there would be a lot of betterment in the society.  The Nigerian Constitution which gives the Press a freedom of free and fair reporting should be respected by the government.  Clampdown on newspaper houses and arrests of reporters by security agents acting on the orders of the government should be stopped.
Our collective efforts towards shaping a better Nigeria is that our best effort must begin with the practice of proper internal democracy in our political parties followed by free and fair elections in the country.  And our big opportunity to redeem our battered electoral image presents itself during re-run elections in various states. Those elections must be free and fair.  The Press has major role to play.
Under today’s critical situation, writers and journalists should not escape from their responsibility towards the society and should try their best to do what they can for the betterment of society.  Journalism was based on certain ideals and there was concern for constructing a new social order and working towards the betterment of the masses, whereas today’s journalism and literature is moving on dangerous path. Tendency of speculations and sensationalizing issues does no good for the society.
Right now, our nation is in need of the right leadership and it is time for the Fourth Estate to provide that leadership.  Pointing to directions that should be taken and showing the clueless which way to go.
Finally, journalists and writers should focus more on constructive writings that help achieve unity in the society.  Journalists must focus on innovation and not just doing more of the same. And we must offer the audience solutions, not just problems. Only then would we be sure that we are marching together on the path of national development.
Etiaba, a lawyer writes from Port Harcourt.

Echezona Etiaba