Constitution amendment: Saddling the media with advocacy role

Since the debate over constitution amendment started, the “Media Dialogue Forum” recently held in Lagos, was perhaps the biggest outing where the role of the media has been so accorded its much needed recognition. The guest list revealed that much. Editors, reporters, photojournalists as well as senior journalists like Tony Iredia, Lanre Arogundade, Gbenga Adefaye, […]

Since the debate over constitution amendment started, the “Media Dialogue Forum” recently held in Lagos, was perhaps the biggest outing where the role of the media has been so accorded its much needed recognition. The guest list revealed that much. Editors, reporters, photojournalists as well as senior journalists like Tony Iredia, Lanre Arogundade, Gbenga Adefaye, all came together with one purpose; giving the constitution amendment process, a media face.

The event which lasted for many hours was segmented into two. The opening ceremony witnessed presentation of speeches from Adefaye, National President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mohammed Garba, National President, Nigerian Union of Journalists, the representatives of Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke, officials of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity.

Adefaye’s speech was quite assertive as to what the role of Nigerian editors should be in the constitution amendment process. He underscored the importance of the gathering and was of the opinion that the attending editors will leave the place with better mindset as to what constitute their roles. The NUJ President’s speech toed similar path.

For UNDP, the organ of United Nations which was a co-sponsor of the event and which said its commitment is to deepen democracies and democratic norms in the country, the Nigerian media is that progressive vehicle that could make its work easier.

“The media plays a crucial role in keeping citizens engaged in the business of governance, and healthy political processes require pluralism and open communication. By providing a vibrant and free environment for communication, debate and deliberation, the media helps to establish good governance,” Ade Lekoetje, the UNDP country’s director said.

According to Lekoetje, the on-going constitution review process has been identified as a priority of Nigerian government and through its Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project; UNDP will do everything possible to work with “key drivers” of the process, which include the media. She noted that the editors are a critical media constituency in the amendment process. She urged the practitioners to make the review process a priority for discuss and debates so as to ensure active citizen participation.

The Attorney General, on the other hand, chose to approach the media role in the constitution amendment from legal and constitutional point of view. Though represented at the event by Stella Aburime, Adoke was quick to remind the media practitioners of their ordained responsibility as provided in the oft-quoted Chapter II, section 22 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“Chapter II, section 22 of the constitution recognizing the role of the mass media in shaping the consciousness of the nation, not only gave it freedom, but also imposed certain obligations on it. According to that section: The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all time be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of government to the people,” Adoke said.

The minister further said the need to bring editors together for the dialogue, arose from the pivotal position they occupy in the hierarchy of the mass media.

“The editor has been described as the supervisor, or conductor of a department of a newspaper, magazine or other forms of the media; he edits the material for publication and until he gives clearance, no relevant material should be published. The editors serve to create perceptions that could either contribute meaningfully to the development of society or serves as catalyst for chaos,” the AGF said.

Adoke also noted that it is the desire of government that editors “who occupy this hallowed positions” continue to carry out the duties with highest ethical standards and with the consideration to stability and progress of the nation. He said the dialogue is designed to mobilize the Nigerian editor for the task of re-awakening the media to its critical responsibility of promoting awareness and active citizen participation in the constitutional amendment process.

And as a way of courting the media friendship, Adoke was quick to remind those at the gathering, how the current government had signed the Freedom of Information Act into law. He said his ministry as a matter of fact, is in the process of formulating guidelines that will make FOI Act work.

“The present administration is committed to ensuring that the media achieves its constitutional responsibility. A clear way it has demonstrated this is by ensuring the passage of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 which grants unfettered access to public records. On its part, the federal ministry of justice has been working assiduously to formulate guidelines for the workings of the FOI laws. The ministry has sent out circulars to all MDAs for the purpose,” Adoke said.

Perhaps, of the greatest interest in the opening session of the media dialogue, was the contribution of Dr Reuben Abati, the President’s spokesperson. Prior to his assumption of duty as Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Abati was the editorial chairman of the Guardian newspaper and indeed, a fiery critic of the ruling class. But since assumption of duty, he has often been pitched against the constituency he once bestrode, like a colossus.

Thus when Abati took the microphone, he didn’t just dwell on the importance of the occasion, but also took time out to make“clarifications” on certain “misconceptions”; the Nigerian media have had about presidency in recent time.

“When the President mooted the idea of seven years single tenure, some people said it is third term through the back door. I had to issue statement, another statement and another statement and so on. Nobody wanted to listen even when it is clear that the law we have, has no retroactive effect. You cannot benefit under a new law which was not part of what brought you into the office. And even up till now, you still have some learned people insisting that this constitution amendment process is a Jonathan’s project,” Abati lamented.

According to the President’s spokesperson, the constitution amendment is not a Jonathan project. Rather all that the President Jonathan did was just to propose an idea to be debated. He said it is the responsibility of the National Assembly members to amend the constitution. Yet, Abati has another example to cite.

“Only a few days ago I read in the newspaper that the constitution is going to be amended so that the President Jonathan gets his party nomination for another term in office. Now, party primaries are the responsibilities of Political parties, it is not an issue for Nigerian constitution. But I read a whole page story of how this is being worked on and that some people in the party are already working on the amendment just as they are planning to ensure that their recommendations are inputted in the constitution. How can constitution amendment be handled by PDP?” Abati asked rhetorically.

Abati will however not dwell for too long in the criticism of his colleagues. The President’s man made a tactical retreat. He said notwithstanding the challenges the media faces; it remains a force to reckon with.

“Because whatever the media does, people believe it. They believe what they read. They believe what they hear. They depend on the media for information and for direction. In Nigeria, in particular, the media has often play a great role. Of course the Nigerian media was at forefront of the making of the Nigerian nation.

“That is why as journalist, we hold great responsibility not only to set the agenda but set it correctly and in a manner that provides leadership and not set the agenda in a manner that heats up the polity. We need to set the agenda in a manner that promotes the cause of enlightenment. And if you look at issues discussed in the constitution amendment, they are issues that touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” Abati said.

The occasion swiftly moved into the second session immediately Abati delivered his speech. Festus Okoye spoke on Reviewing the Nigerian Constitution-The journey so far while Lanre Arogundade of International Journalism Centre spoke on Assessment of Media Coverage of the Constitution Amendment Process. The occasion also witnessed breakout sessions with exhaustive deliberation on issues relating to media roles in the constitution amendment process.