Prof Asan
By Okpokpo Okhumode, Auchi
A Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Prof. Andrew Asan Ate, has charged media practitioners in the country to devote more time on investigative reporting to tackle corruption and hold government accountable.
Prof. Asan Ate, who is the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Communication, Edo State University Uzairue, gave the charge while delivery lecture entitled, “From Gatekeeping to Gatewatching: Who and What Killed Investigative Journalism In Nigeria?”at the 12th Inaugural Lecture series of the institution.
He said that investigative journalism was “desirable and inevitable” in every democratic setting because of its power to address corruption.
He also said that investigative journalism was going into oblivion because journalists did not have exclusive rights to produce and distribute information as news agenda is no longer under their control.
“The power of investigative journalism cannot be underestimated saying that under the gate-keeping journalism regime, the following remarkable investigative journalism feats were recorded.
“As the media space in Nigeria is getting sophisticated, in terms of technological innovations, investigative journalism appears to be matching into oblivion in the country as it is gradually losing its spark.
He further said that, in spite of the numerous challenges faced by journalists, many of them had succeeded in holding citizens and government accountable.
Prof Asan Ate lauded journalists, who put in hard work to investigate and amplify the voices of the marginalised in the society, as well as those who strived to expose corrupt people.
The Don, however, urged media practitioners to nurture the culture of investigative journalism in holding government and the citizens to account.
“Investigative journalists in the country should aggressively source for reliable and accurate information to build their stories professionally and with their constitutionally guaranteed powers without recourse to religious, ethnic or primordial attachment”.
Earlier, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, said the lecture became imperative to reflect on the media profession, the practice of investigative journalism, as well as decide on strategies to amplify the importance of works done by journalists in the country.
He said the inaugural lectures hold a unique place in the academic calendar as they allow the university to reflect on the rich tapestry of intellectual accomplishment within the academic community.
“Theses series of lectures represent the diverse and wide-ranging expertise that the university is proud to house within its academic walls, it highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages us to explore the intersections of different field to find solution to complex challenges”, he emphasized.
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