If there is any institution that had witnessed a tremendous growth and earned high esteem in the eyes of common man in Nigeria, in the last eight years of Nigeria’s democracy, is the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The Nigerian media is exhibiting professionalism with nationalism; thus, the Press has become a trail-blazer in the complex political landscape of Nigeria, this has triggered off a rippling impact on the Nigerian democracy, which many observers say is nascent but seriously limping. And one institution worth paying tribute to, by every right-thinking man, is the judiciary, which of recent is regaining its independence, and a lot of confidence and respect from Nigerians.
Despite the differences in ideologies, goals and intents for the setting-up of various media organizations in the country, especially the print media. The Fourth Estate of the Realm have during the past eights years impacted positively in entrenching the democracy; by firmly standing on issues that are widely accepted to be the only pathway in securing pluralist democracy, human right, public choice, legalism, independent judiciary and protection of minority rights and of course a truly federal Nigeria of which power is constitutionally divided between the center and the federating units.
The hope of every patriotic Nigerian is, the 5 th republic will surely commence by 29 th May, 2007, despite the fact that, the April 14 th and 21 st elections were clouded by gross irregularities, and both the international and national observers said the election was full of fundamental flaws. How events will turnout to be in Nigeria, will, to some large extent be influenced by the views of the Press on unfolding events, and the stand they may take on issues, politics and politicians surrounding the 5 th republic, this is so, because, in spite of the difficulties in the political environment in Nigeria, the Press has managed to steered a pathway for those in the helms of affairs of the nation to adhere to constitutionality and Due Process.
The print media played a prominent role in the fight against the military who ruled Nigeria for most of its post independence years. Though, some observers are of the view, some of the times, ‘Geography’ has to some extend influenced the stands and opinions expressed by some print media houses, some commentators accused the Lagos-Ibadan-axis Press for contributing to the overthrow of the Shagari administration, but the recent position took by these Media houses on some vital constitutional issues has portrait these media houses as objective and only stand for democracy. One interesting situation would be how the print media from the North will view and take a stand on events, issues and people in the 5 th Republic, because the newspapers outfits that emerged in recent time from the north, are virtually an offshoot of the anti Obasanjo feelings that has grown in the north, one may not be out of point to say the Press in the North may be in a little catch-22 situation, their views and stands on issues in the 5 th Republic would make or mar them.
The return of democracy to Nigeria has brought further professionalism and unprecedented growth to the Fourth Estate of the Realm, especially in the print and internet based media, and this has given vast number of Nigerians opportunities to express their views on national issues, especially in the political arena, the internet based media due to its ‘uncontrolled’ nature has to large extent helped in the opening-up more avenues for people to express their views, though some observers are of the opinion, the internet based media gives room for some abuse of Press moral code.
It has become apparent that the 5 th Republic even before its commencement is being trail by huge controversies and behind-the-scene thrilling political maneuvers, therefore much would be expected from the Press and the judiciary, who majority of Nigerians believed are living up to expectation, because as event continue to unfold, interesting political intrigues and judicial battles would surely follow, so, much would expected from the media, despite the fact that, the public is aware that the media does not have the power to punish or reprimand politicians . However, Nigerians are in no doubt of the capacity of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to watch over the society and politicians, raise alarm or blow whistle, the media earned much of this confidence during the heated period of the controversial moves to amend the 1999 Nigerian constitution. However, that period was a monumental period of trial on the Press; where the Press has to choose between mouthwatering offers and ethics-morality-and-public-confidence, on the other hand, there were strong accusations that some Media houses has fallen into traps set by politicians - such scenarios represent the difficult moments ahead for the Press as the road to 5 th republic is opening.
Politicians would all the times want to influence the opinions of the public to their advantage, and we are in a society were geography, ethnicity, religion and money, some of the times influence people opinions especially on national issues, and the media is part of the Nigerian society, so one may not be surprised if politicians or sentiments tend to bend the viewpoints of some Media houses.
We cannot denied the fact that, we as a nation are asking too much from the media, especially the print media, however, the public was pushed to be asking too much from the Fourth Estate of the Realm, because it appears whenever the Press sneezes, politicians, especially the lawless Ones catch cold.
Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Nigeria
zaymohd@yahoo.com
