Mojeed urges stronger support for professionals…

Premium Times Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer, Muskilu Mojeed, has called on the Nigerian government to provide sustained support to professional journalists, underscoring their critical role in bridging the gap between election promises and realities of governance.

Mojeed made this appeal during a panel session at the ninth annual conference of the Guild of Online Business Publishers (GOCOP), held in Lagos on Thursday, with the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with the Realities of Governance: Challenges and Prospects.”

According to him, despite the indispensable role of the media in democracy, “government support remains minimal.

“The government hardly supports us. The fact is that everyone needs the media, especially when they are in power and even more so when they are not in power,” he said.

The award-winning journalist stressed that the media must be empowered to effectively serve as the voice of the people and watchdog of society.

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While acknowledging the palliatives extended to some media companies 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 the country’s leadership, pointing out that many politicians come into office unprepared to face the responsibilities of government.

“There is a clear discrepancy between campaign promises and actual implementation,” he lamented.

Mojeed also encouraged journalists to embrace technology and innovation, describing them as vital tools to increase accountability and strengthen the role of the media in promoting transparency and good governance.

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