Joyce Onwuka
The Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Premium Times, Mr. Muskilu Mojeed, has called on the Nigerian government to provide sustained support for professional journalists, emphasizing their critical role in bridging the gap between campaign promises and governance realities.
Mojeed made this appeal during a panel session at the 9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), held in Lagos on Thursday, with the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
According to him, despite the indispensable role of the media in democracy, government support remains minimal.
The government hardly gives us support. The fact is, everyone needs the media, especially when in power and even more when out of power,” he stated.
The award-winning journalist stressed that the media must be empowered to effectively serve as the voice of the people and watchdog of society.
While acknowledging the palliatives extended to some media houses during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly through debt waivers, Mojeed argued that such gestures were not enough and urged the government to do more to strengthen the sector.
He also decried the poor quality of leadership in the country, noting that many politicians come into office unprepared for the responsibilities of governance.
“There’s a clear disconnect between campaign promises and actual delivery,” he lamented.
Mojeed further encouraged journalists to embrace technology and innovation, describing them as vital tools for enhancing accountability and reinforcing the media’s role in promoting transparency and good governance.