By Idongesit ASHAMERI, Uyo
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 provides 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 (2) the relationship between journalism practice and the government in power.
He noted that journalists, Â 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. Â “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 jeopardize 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 minimize disaster in the society.
