ICPC tasks media on unbias, balance reportage
…Trains over 50 journalists on investigative reporting, anti-corruption issues
By Ogaga Ariemu
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye, said media practitioners should be unbias, balance and objective in the reportage of anti-corruption.
Owasonoye disclosed this while welcoming participants virtually to a two-day training workshop for over Fifty(50) Journalists organised by the ICPC at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Keffi, Nasarawa State from Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th January 2022.
He lauded the role of the media as enshrined in section 22 of the 1999 constitution, which according to him would help checkmate different organs of government and reposition governance.
The chairman affirmed that Investigative Journalism is essential to holding government to account.
“Investigative journalism is one of the growing arms of journalism with a potential to contribute not just to anti-corruption effort but to governance.”
“There are media outlets that are decidedly partisan, and they do not hide it, and there is freedom of association in any event; what I think the standard demand is to be fair to all sides.
“Happily, mainstream media cannot be accused of being entrenched in this endemic issue; it is more about emergency journalists on social media who propagate a lot of … but occasionally, mainstream media do fall into this line.”
Prof. Owasanoye also said that credible and accurate investigations take time and if ICPC is not sure or have not concluded thorough investigations, the Commission will not be able to release much information on the corruption case.
Said he: “Corruption cases take this long time to be concluded because on many occasions, petitioners develope cold feet to come forward as star witnesses in court of law”.
Also speaking at the event, the Provost Anti-Corruption Agency of Nigeria (ACAN). Olatunde Babawale, a Professor, said journalists as the fourth estate of the realm are strategic partners in the fight against corruption.
“Given its strategic position as the fourth estate of the realm in a democratic setting, the media is expected to be an instrument of transparency, probity and accountability in the society and a veritable partner in the war against corruption,” he said.
Experienced ICPC’s Directors and renowned Media professionals such as the Commission’s Director of Operations, Akeem Lawal, Director, Public Englightenment and Education, Mohammed Baba, Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting(ICIR), Dayo Aiyetan, Managing Director Northern Operations of The Nation, Yusuf Alli, Media Consultant to the ICPC chairman, Oluyinka Akintunde,
ICPC’s Director, Assets Tracing, Recovery and Management Department Adedayo Kayode, Director System and Review Department ICPC, Abbia Udofia and Shogunle Adenekan, Deputy Director at ICPC harped on issues relating understanding anti-corruptions, enlightenment on ICPC’s mandate, investigative journalism, reporting Illicit Financial Flows(IFFs), Asset Recovery and sexual harrassment.
According to Newspeg Magazine and PR Nigeria Reporters, Nkechi Eze and Nafisat Bello partipants at the training described initiative as laudable and beneficial to developmental journalism and public enlightenmentt.
Meanwhile, ICPC Spokeperson, Azuka Ogugua said the commission will continue to collaborate with the media in tackling anti-corruption and related offences in Nigeria.
