THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA.

Governance of a state implies the ways through which citizens and groups in a society voice their interest, meditate their differences and exercise legal rights and obligations. One of such means of governance is democracy which is a government by all the people usually through elected representatives, as such, democracy must be build on Nationality Unity peace and stability.

Of all other aspect of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, the role of media either through print and electronic means cannot be side-lined. This is because, good governance is facilitated by strong and independent media in the society, as the media allows for ongoing checks and assessment by the population thereby providing a platform for discussion. Freedom of media also allows for public debates and view points as well as increasing citizens awareness about their rights and privileges.

Although the 1999 constitution of Nigeria allows for right of press freedom of expressions, it should be noted that with the advent of democratic dispensation, most media houses have failed in disseminating vital news because practicing journalists are exposed to frequent threats, harassments, bribe even at times paying the ultimate price with their lives. One example of such threat was the case of ‘Haruna Achenje’, State correspondent of Punch Newspaper who was who was ordered to leave Akwa-Ibom state on August 2003 because of an article about the State House of Assembly which members claimed false.

Besides, the government has a key role in promoting democracy through protection of media independence, during critical moments such as transparency, anti-corruption and accountability, of which corruption is the hardest issues democracy has to face in the governing process to ensure best life for the citizens.
Typical of such is the cases of two impeached former governors ‘D.S.P.Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State and Peter Fayose of Ekiti State’ respectively .The media was biased in reporting the truth of the matters because of the risk involved – threats or even death. The media therefore needs to take a firm stand for this, in ensuring good governance in Nigeria by reporting the exact happenings of events.

In the light of this, it could be noted that media is an important yardstick in promoting good governance in Nigeria, hence, positive expression of an open relationship between the media and political power holders should included. Media protection is needed; in line with this judiciary need to be reform, so that freedom of expression, access to information, support for news agencies and less restriction on journalistic activities, bearing in mind that, the rise of twenty four hours rolling news stations and the internet has made media bigger, faster and more powerful than before.

The media can act as a force against corruption in ways that are tangible to promote good democracy in Nigeria. The tangible, readily identifiable, ways in which the news media perform this function include those in which some sort of visible outcome can be attributed to a particular news story or series of stories —for instance, the launching of investigation by authorities, the scrapping of a law or policy that fosters a climate ripe with opportunities for corruption, the impeachment or forced resignation of a crooked politician, the firing of an official, the launching of judicial proceedings, the issuing of public recommendations by a watchdog body, and so on.

I strongly belief that since media plays a vital role in sustaining democracy , there is a need to promote media participation as a mechanism for sustaining democracy and good governance in Nigeria as a good mediator and promoter of transparency in the nation building.