Media Expert Challenge Journalists to Ask Relevant Questions in Holding Government Accountable …..as NUJ Kaduna Holds Press Week

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

A media expert Ishaq Qauran Mata, has challenge the media to rise up to it’s responsibilities by asking necessary questions that can hold the government accountable and check her activities.

Qauran Mata, a Mass Communication, lecturer at the Kaduna Polytechnic, gave the charge when speaking as a Guest Speaker, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council’s Press Week 2019.

The Lecturer who spoke on the theme: “Media as a Catalyst for the Promotion of Peace and National Security” said issues of Peace and Security has no political part and that the media has two clear options.

“The media has two clear options: to carry out its constitutional mandate as enshrined in chapter 2, section 22 of the 1999 constitution and produce well-researched, analytical articles and programs that seek to “keep a check on the routine activities of the authorities, hold governments accountable for good governance and assist the citizens to evaluate the efficiency of government’.

“In doing this, conflict and clashes with those in authority will be inevitable. Yet
It’s the effective execution of this role that will promote national security.” He said.

According to him, the journalists should not be afraid in doing their job and that they should rise to ask relevant questions; especially in Kaduna state where too many things are happening at the same time and no body is asking questions.

“In Kaduna too many things are happening at the same time which is very good, but journalists are not asking questions as to the the cost of projects being executed by the government, if they are necessary or not.

“They say is urban renewal, what are you renewing? I walked through the construction of Alkali road today and I ask myself if it is necessary? I have been driving through the road and I have never encountered a single pothole and I have never experience any traffic jamb on that road.

“It would have been better if the resources are channeled to areas that need the roads where they can use it to bring their products to the market.” The Lecturer noted.

In his response, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, accused the lecturer of being partisan in his submission.

He said Quaran Mata’s stance is his opinion and that of his political party, the PDP and as such does not represent the wishes of the Kaduna State people.

He said there was huge infrastructure deficit in the state when they came into government and that is what they are trying to address by the urban renewal project that’s ongoing in the state.

Aruwan, however said they have taken note of what the lecturer has said, and as a government they will continue to work in the interest of the people.

The Commissioner who also used the occasion to clear the air about the state government relationship with the NUJ, explained that there was nothing like muzzling the press in the state.

He said journalists should be trained and retrained to have historic background of insecurity in the state before reporting security issues as some journalists have been part of fueling insecurity in their reportage.

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  1. November 23, 2023

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