The House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday charged security agencies to redouble efforts in locating and reuniting the missing Vanguard Newspaper reporter with his family, saying that as a responsible institution, the leadership of the House and members believe that whatever touches those covering their activities also touches them.
Gbajabiamila, who stated this at the opening of a two-day capacity building training for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, also noted that the Media remains an integral part of democracy in any country.
Recalling the incident which took place three week ago, he said: “Before I continue with my speech, it has been mentioned already, but it’s worth mentioning again; I want to note that the Vanguard Newspaper reporter in the House of Representatives, Tordue Salem, who has been missing for some weeks now, is still yet to be found.
“I and indeed the House, have been in contact with the leadership of the Press Corps since the matter came to light. I want to encourage the security agencies not to relent in their efforts to locate Tordue and bring him back to his family. Anything that touches one, touches on all of us.”
“As an institution, we in the House believe that journalists who cover and report our activities are part of the institution, which is why this case of missing reporter, Mr Tordue Salem is quite concerning”.
The speaker also urged the media committee of the House to partner with the Press Corps in providing adequate and factual information about the activities of the House, saying that the Legislature is the most misunderstood institution in most democracies around the world.
“He said ‘goes without saying that this committee plays a major role in the activities of the House as it is the intermediary between the House and the public. Your work goes a long way to shape the perception the public has of the House of Representatives and correct any misinformation that is in the public sphere.
“I took time out to actually look at the dictionary definition of media. If you look at that definition you will understand the importance and critical roles the House of Representatives committee on media has to play in defining or reframing the narrative of the House in giving direction to the legislature, in propelling policies of government and indeed, that is why many of you who practice in this field of endeavour, the institution is referred to as a 4th Estate of the Realm.
“The House of Representatives or the National Assembly in general, like every legislature in the world, is perhaps the most misunderstood institution in the world. Some of that misunderstanding is unintentional based simply on lack of knowledge, some of that misunderstanding is intentional and sometimes it is political”, he said
Turning to the committee members, he said
“Your committee works in a rapidly changing and highly volatile landscape. Today, with the rapidly evolving technological innovations, the media space has seen vast changes in the way the media operates and the channels information is transmitted through.
“”That is why we shouldn’t look at this committee from the narrow prism of “this is the House Committee on Media”, but rather look at it as a committee that is so strategic to the survival of our democracy, not the survival of the National Assembly but the survival of democracy.
“We also work closely with the press corps of the House; they cover our activities and you provide them accurate information to help in curbing media speculations on the House’ activities.
“This, among other reasons, highlights the necessity and the importance of a capacity building workshop for this committee. Looking through the topics that have been outlined for consideration in the course of the workshop, I am confident that this workshop will help provide a stimulating time for you all. I am also impressed with the list of experienced resource persons, who were clearly carefully selected for this programme,” the Speaker added.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Benjamin Kalu said the 21st century media environment as dynamic and will continues to develop in novel, sometimes unanticipated ways that have serious consequences for democratic governance.
He said further that the New media has radically altered the way government institutions operate and the way that political leaders communicate and engage citizens, adding that the media today disseminates a tremendous amount of political content, most of which are trivial, unreliable, and polarizing.
Kalu stressed that the media’s watchdog role, hitherto performed by trained journalists and gatekeepers such as established mass media institutions, has evolved in the face of technological innovations, saying “today, every actor with a smartphone is able to disseminate information and frame political issues in their various spheres of influence.
“The press has been decentralized, with oftentimes destructive outcomes. But such is the price that we must pay for the beauty that is democracy and the exchange that we must uphold for freedom of speech – the inalienable right of every Nigerian.
“We have continued to engage with the Nigerian public through traditional and new media to clarify issues and ensure that every Nigerian can access firsthand information on legislative activities. We have worked in lockstep with all the standing committees of the House ensuring that we are, at all times, abreast of their oversight activities to enable us adequately represent and defend the overall interest of the House.
“We have also advanced programs, as well as an environment, that serves to promote public engagement, education, awareness, and reorientation including periodic stakeholder roundtables; training, and capacity building for members of the press corps.
“While we must continue to hold the media accountable for an objective and balanced reportage it is important to note that they face hazards in the line of duty and as such the parliament, especially the Committee which I oversee, will continue to see to their safety and improves remuneration for the profession.
“Only recently, Tordue Salem a reporter for Vanguard newspapers covering the House of Representatives went missing. The Media and Public Affairs Committee under the able Leadership of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila will not rest on its oars until our own is found.”
Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof.Abubakar Suleiman stressed the need for the National Assembly to develop a media and communication strategy in other to be able to communicate effectively with that Nigeria. People.
Prof Suleiman said that a study conducted by the institute on public perception of the legislature revealed that the legislature is the most misunderstood arm of government as a result of poor understanding of the role of the Legislature within a democratic context, improbable campaign promises, loss of confidence in politicians and the political system and poor or non existent communication strategy as well as rising cases of poverty and unemployment.
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