By Idongesit Ashameri
It was the turn of Prof.
Nkereuwem Johnson Udoakah, a Professor of Political Communication and Media
Studies to deliver the 54th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Uyo on the
Topic: "The Political Economy of Nigerian Journalism".
For both students of political communication and the
journalists community in general, the topic was quite appetizing as many looked
forward to drawing from the 30 years wealth of experience of the Ghanaian,
British and American trained journalist, and a Professor of political
communication and Media Studies, and, of course a teacher and veteran
researcher.
Setting the tone for the inaugural lecture, the Don of
the day said the political economy of the media links the media and
communication system to how economic and political systems work, and how social
power is exercised in the society.
As duly anticipated, the erudite professor of political
communication as later acknowledged by Dr Nsikak Idiong of same Department of
Communication Arts and a former student of Prof Udoakah; took his audience
through the Nigerian media scene, bringing into view the stilted political
structure of Africa's most populous nation, the bedraggled (but resilient)
figure of the Nigerian journalist, and the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in
which Nigeria's moneyed oligarchy exerts a constricting influence on the
nation's journalists.
Delving into the media system and political economy of
journalism in Nigeria, Udoakah said the media operates within the framework of
the political and economic systems which determines the nature of the media
systems.
His words "The political and economic systems
determine the nature of the media systems and by extension, how journalism is
practiced, since journalism and the media cannot be separated. The world has
been divided into three political and economic systems, namely: the capitalist,
communist and the developing countries media systems. Nigeria belongs to this
political and economic order".
He identified developing countries as those commonly
known as a mixed economy- operating both the capitalist and the communist
characteristics:
Diagnosing why media professionals have been tossed about
by both the economic and political systems he said; "So anyone can go into
the media enterprise so long as he can weather the storm of competition. But
obviously, those who are into this business are part of the class that controls
the economy and they directly or indirectly dictate policies to their
media".
Also balancing such control with the political angle to
the issue he added; "They believe in a guided communication media for a
purposeful future and therefore cannot afford to leave the communication media
in the hands of a few money lords who can afford them, hence a heavy government
involvement in media ownership".
With this analogy, the media and media professionals are
seen to be hanging on a balance and torn between economic and political
lines.
The Don therefore sees the economy on one hand as an
aspect of society which engages in interactional and reciprocal relationship
with the communication industry and reflects in the mass media content. The
economy, according to the inaugural lecturer also provide both the human and
material resources needed by the media industry and is therefore expected to
pay back to the system.
The political economy of journalism practice in a
pseudo-democratic society such as Nigeria, on the other hand provides two
issues to be considered; first, the relationship between the journalists, their
employers and society, and the relationship between journalism practice and the
government in power.
He noted that journalists, not only in Nigeria, but
the world over, operates under some internal and external influences on media
production and journalism products, within a politico-legal framework which may
not be conventional. "They are influenced by their employers
-government and businessmen, their conditions of service, among other
environmental factors". He said
Having diagnosed the economic and political issues confronting
journalists and journalism practice in developing countries and the world at
large, the inaugural lecturer therefore called on government to provide a
yellow line qualification for journalism to make it a reputable and highly
respected profession in Nigeria.
He charged government at all levels to recognize the unfair and
unreasonable conditions of service of Nigerian journalists and bring them at
par with other professionals whose jobs are not even as hazardous as
journalism.
"This would give them a measure of financial
security, social recognition and status. The present poor conditions of service
and the hazardous nature of journalism, no doubt, have made the job
unattractive to many honest and talented people".
The professor who used the occasion to warn against
underrating journalism potential and strength, described journalism as a
lethal weapon that can destroy society.
According to him,
journalism practice, like medical profession, is a matter of life and death.
Even as journalism exerts more power on society than medical practice, hence
journalists should be treated with more care and respect.
His words “A doctor’s error might engender only one or
few lives while wrong and inaccurate reports could destroy the whole
community. And closer analogy to the effect of inaccurate media reports is
like aircraft pilot’s error, which could claim the lives of all the passengers
on board".
He urged government not to think of ignoring the roles
and functions of journalists in a democratic setting, saying that such could
jeopardise government efforts in initiating programmes for the wellbeing of its
citizenry.
Udoakah also cautioned journalists against careless and
inaccurate use of the pen under the illusion of trying to change the
society, without a thought of the possible consequences of their actions.
He explained that facts reported inaccurately and wrong ideas
reported accurately could still end up causing havoc to the society.
The Don maintained that sufficient attention be
given to Nigerian journalists as it is given to aviation operators and medical
practitioners to minimise disaster in the society.
