The Chairman, Centre for Values and Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi, has decried the poor remuneration package of Nigerian journalists, saying that they ‘ economically handicapped’ to carry out their duties as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
He said the economics of media practice in Nigeria diminishes capacity for performance.
Utomi made this known as guest lecturer at the 11th Jacksonite Annual Lecture organised by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Prof. Utomi said reporters only focused on staged events, press conferences, lectures with a reward of ‘brown envelopes’, which he said has led to little or no depth, interpretation or investigation of the stories.
“Even transportation money to the staged event is hardly forthcoming, much less resources for the investigative report,” he said.
If the media can help enhance rigor in policy choice and encourage a culture of reasoned public conversation on policy matters, play up the activities of civil society that results in stronger institutions with more effective investment in human capital, we can expect to see more virile entrepreneurship and economic growth resulting the reform, he added. – FRCN.
