Serving The Public Interest And Earning A Living Through Journalism, The Obvious Unsecured Fate Of Journalists In Nigeria

By Ifeayinwa Onyenweli

Often times, Journalists put their lives in line to carry out their constitutional obligations, though, despite being recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Forth Estate of the Realm, without any financial backing to function, Journalists struggle to balance the role of serving Public interest and the reality of earning a living through Journalism without compromising their constitutional obligations..

In serving the general interest of the Society, Journalists engaged in revealing what institutions, corporate bodies, government and individuals would want to conceal but in a bid to build a better society for the general wellbeing of the People, they report such revealing and controversial issues and condemn wrong acts where necessary.

To survive, some journalists have abandoned their constitutional responsibility of putting the general interest of the public first because the society and the government they serve care little or nothing about their existence. Some, for fear of being killed or harassed by those who may not want their acts revealed or condemn have resulted to money bag journalism leaving the society to pay dearly for it. In the midst of all of these, there are still some who had not jettison their constitutional responsibility to Moneybag Journalism.

These class of Journalists despite the hash environment still stick out their necks to write and publish reports that serve the interest of the general public above their personal agrandizement but in doing this face a lot of harassment, intimidation and very often ,death.

In the last one decade, Over 10 Journalists in Benin City have lost their lives to unknown gunmen who either lay ambush on the unsuspected Journalists and snuff life out of them for reporting a story they would have wanted concealed. Some are harassed and threatened even by those who were supposed to protect their lives (security operatives).

In the case of Comrade Edosa Emmanuel, a popular broadcast Journalist, a former Staff of Independent Television (ITV) who was attacked by DSS while carrying out his legitimate job in Benin City, Edo State in 2022. This is one of so many of the abuses Journalists keep suffering from on a daily basis. Comrade Emmason Edosa as popularly being called in his bid ,trying to save his life, lost his work tools and personal belongings and eventually ended up in the hospital.
Though, the leadership of the NUJ, Edo State council condemned the act but did the officers who carried out such act reprimanded? Your guess maybe right as mine.

In 2017, a Reporter with Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Lawrence Okojie was murdered in cold blood on his way back from work.

He was reportedly dropped by his official Van and he called his wife that he was on his way back from work. The poor wife waited for his return but never saw his husband again until Sunday morning when he was found in a morgue after serious search around the City center.

Who could have killed Mr. Lawrence Okojie? What wrong did he commit for carrying out his legitimate job? Lawrence Okojie was murdered for carrying out his Constitutional Obligation as a Journalist and those behind the murderous act maybe happy but karma is still very much around the corner.

The Media Industry also lost another fine gentle Man in Benin City in December, 2023 to the cold blood of death. Hillary Nosa Odia , a Staff of ITV who was also murdered ,still by unknown gunmen who ambushed him either for doing his legitimate Job which might had gotten some quarters unhappy.
These to mention but a few not only in benin city but the country at large.

The painful part, as Journalists keep dying mysteriously, the Federal Government and the Constitution that bestowed the obligation of the fourth estate of the realm on the media seems to pay blind eyes to the devastating plight of Journalists in the country.

The recent one, is the kidnap of the Channels television Reporter in River State, though, he was finally released after ransom was paid but the trauma will remain with him. The big question is, what is the authority doing to protect the lives of Journalists, noting their constitutional obligation?

The Constitution made provision for the protection of Executive, Legislators and the Judiciary. Who then, protect the Journalists, noting the risky Job they are involved in ensuring the society is peaceful for all.

Due to these obvious reality, the popular statement “That if you die in the course of carrying out your legitimate duty, you die for nothing”. This fear had made some Journalists to result to collecting money to sweep public interest stories under the carpet. Of course, they see it as the only escape way for surviving the hash treatment they receive from those they are expected to serve while the society suffers from these brunt’s as seen in the present Nigeria of today.

The effect of moneybag Journalism is seen in every segment of the country. Families have lost the values that binds them as one entity.

When a Journalist fails to do the right thing in his or her reportage, the society suffers because what could have helped people to behave well or stay away from such acts that are capable of causing mayhem has been concealed.

Presently, the level of corruption in the country is high ,due to the quest to make money not minding who suffers the brunt . In Nigeria, from the poorest to the richest are all corrupt, everybody looking for ways to outsmart one another. All these are a result of the failure of the fourth estate of the realm, falling to do what is right.

During election in Nigeria, Violence has been a re- ccurring incident and most often times, victims of electoral violence are those who were out to carry out their civic responsibility, such as Journalists and eligible voters.

Records have also shown that violence occurs during campaign when Candidates of political parties abandon the essence of campaign which is reeling out manifestoes and policies that he or she wil  implement if elected, rather, they prefer to engage in false accusations, attack on private lives and unwarranted allegations on their opponents.

This most times, has resulted in political parties turning high number of youths to thugs, keeping them on a standby incase of emergencies and are unleashed to kill and maim any Soul within the scene of attack.

Journalists who are always on the scene of election end up being victims of these violent attacks ,some die in the process while some loose part of their bodies, yet government of the day fails to address the unsecured plight of Journalists.