By De Lioness (Electric-Nwanyi)

(Adabuzo ndi Abia)

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In today’s world, media becomes as indispensable as our daily necessities. Media of today is playing an exceptional role in creating and modelling of public view and reinforcement of our society.

Media makes out the fourth pillar of democracy. And as a result the fourth pillar of democracy along with judiciary, decision-making and governing body, and media of today has an all-encompassing role to act against the discrimination, repression, misdemeanours and preconception of our society. From the days abode, media has remained a fundamental part of human advancement.

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The role of the media is vital in producing a democratic culture that lengthens beyond the political system and becomes in-built into public awareness over time.  They recognize problems in our society and serve as an intermediate for discussion. They also serve as watchdogs that we rely on for uncovering errors and wrongdoings by those who have power. Therefore role of media in our society or in any organisation such as Igbo Women Movement Worldwide (IWMW) is as crucial and should never be underestimated.

The media team will play a constructive role in IWMW only if there is a facilitating setting that allows them to do so. They would utilise their indispensible skills for the kind of in-depth reportage that a new democracy and that of a Movement like IWMW. A mechanism would be in place to ensure they are held responsible to the public and that principled and proficient standards are maintained in IWMW. Though, Media unconventionality is assured if media organisations are financially sustainable, free from intervention of media owners and the state, and operate in a competitive environment; IWMW team will be directed toward: the protection of press rights, increasing media accountability, building media capacity and democratising media access. Media department carries with it a colossal obligation in a democratic setup which it has to fulfil very carefully without any predisposition towards anyone by bringing out the actual facts before the public. It is through IWMW media team that people will become aware of so many aspects of life of which they are typically oblivious and or pretend not to feel concerned about. It is noted that, democracy is futile without a free, unbiased and active media, for that reason, the role of media for this movement (IWMW) includes providing information – to be the eyes and ears of the IWMW in monitoring what is happening in public life by reporting on relevant events as they unfold.

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The role of media as detective is a precarious addition to the role of the press as public watchdog; however, it is dealt with separately here to underline the difference between reporting on public affairs and editorial inquiries into wrongdoing in the administration of public affairs. There is no doubt that media has done an estimable job from time to time in making people cognisant about the punitive veracities of life, in uncovering corruption permeating in our society. This they have done by increasing the awareness level among the people and a lot more but l feel that there are still a lot more to be done. Media as a whole is becoming progressively popular among people from every area of life and it undoubtedly has the potential of influencing the judgements of its reader/viewers to a very huge extent. IWMW Media team will in no doubt, be neutral in airing views and will strongly desist from airing such views which can undesirably affect the communal harmony and give rise to deep mistrust, rigidity and senseless vehemence which tarnishes people’s image or reputation. The IWMW media team will also make both the organisation and the public aware of the consequences of the countless actions of the governments both back home and in the diaspora.

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The IWMW media will not be acting as an advocate who is contentious because it visualises the press as both advocate and impartial reporter. In this role, they will be commenting on issues as the need arises and advocates for improved democratic practice and good governance. In this advocacy role, the media team sees itself decisively on the side of the ordinary citizen including those in the organisation, whose life can be enriched depending on how public authority is implemented. The IWMW media team acting as an advocate will report not only on what is happening but on what should be happening. The Media in many developing countries is virtually enforced to playing this role because improving basic human living conditions cannot happen without democratic practices and good governance.

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Finally, one would expect that the IWMW media team representing this organisation would cover the traditional media, print media and electronic media. The traditional media will take care of arts such as dance, music, songs and theatre to attract audiences. The print media are newspaper, magazines and periodicals, then books. Whereas electronic media will cover film, radio, mobile phones, Internet and television. Therefore, let everyone support this team in every aspect so the Movement can achieve our set goals.

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