Governor Urges Media Partnership to Promote Democratic Governance in Imo
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has called for stronger cooperation among government, the media and citizens, warning that democracy cannot be strengthened where press freedom is threatened, public accountability is weak and trust in journalism declines.
He made the call while delivering the lecture at the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
The lecture focused on the relationship between the media, democratic consolidation and development.
Uzodimma urged public officials to stop viewing journalists as adversaries, describing the media as a partner in national development.
“Government at all levels must jettison the paranoid position that presents or views the media as detractors or enemies,” he said.
He said credible journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions, scrutinise public officials and demand accountability.
Beyond Elections
He also stressed that democracy extends beyond elections to include constitutional governance, protection of fundamental rights, citizen participation and peaceful transfers of power.
The governor warned that exposing wrongdoing would have limited impact if relevant institutions failed to investigate credible reports and take appropriate action.
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He called for stronger institutional responses to investigative journalism to ensure that established wrongdoing attracts consequences.
Governor Uzodimma also urged journalists to uphold factual accuracy, professional discipline and ethical standards, particularly as artificial intelligence and digital platforms accelerate the spread of misleading information.
He cautioned against sensationalism, partisan manipulation and commercial pressures that could undermine public confidence.
He identified political interference, inadequate remuneration, harassment, weak protection for journalists and financial pressures on media organisations as challenges facing the profession.
Funding models
He called for sustainable funding models to support investigative reporting and fact-checking as traditional advertising revenues increasingly shift to global digital platforms.
Reflecting on the legacy of broadcasting pioneer Raymond Dokpesi, Uzodimma highlighted the establishment of RayPower FM in 1994 and Africa Independent Television (AIT) in 1996 as milestones in Nigeria’s broadcasting history.
“The stations expanded the range of voices reaching national audiences beyond direct government ownership, including during military rule,” he said.
The governor urged citizens to verify information before sharing it and reject divisive ethnic and political narratives.
He called on government to protect media independence, journalists to maintain professional standards and public institutions to act on credible evidence.
Goverbir Uzodimma added that cooperation among government, the media, citizens and public institutions was essential to strengthening democratic accountability and supporting national development.
