Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged the Nigerian media to utilise their platforms to strengthen the nation's democracy through constructive journalism and critical thinking. He made this call during the public presentation of the book 'My Life and Journalists Hangout' and the 60th birthday celebration of veteran journalist and Director of News, TVC News, Mr. Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
The Vice-President noted that a society is destroyed not by the absence of ideas, but by the absence of individuals with the courage to interrogate ideas, test them against reason, and ask difficult questions. He commended Babajide's contributions to journalism and critical thinking, saying his popular television programme, 'Journalists Hangout,' has nurtured a tradition of critical engagement in Nigeria.
The Vice-President highlighted the role of the media in strengthening democracy, stating that it is measured not just by the rituals of elections or the architecture of institutions, but by the sensibility and sensitivity of the media. He added that a democracy depends on a media culture that knows when to probe, when to warn, when to illuminate, and when to restrain itself from becoming an accomplice to confusion.
Vice-President Shettima's call for the media to strengthen democracy through constructive journalism and critical thinking is a timely reminder of the crucial role the media plays in shaping public discourse. By highlighting the importance of critical thinking and media sensitivity, the Vice-President underscores the need for the media to hold those in power accountable and to provide a platform for nuanced public conversations. This emphasis on critical thinking is particularly relevant in today's Nigeria, where misinformation and conspiracy theories are on the rise. The Vice-President's words serve as a reminder that a robust media is essential for a functioning democracy, and that journalists like Babajide Kolade-Otitoju are the guardians of this critical institution.
