...Says If Journalism Retreats, Democracy Collapses
A lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, North West Nigeria, Dr. Kabiru Danladi has said Kaltho’s story is not only One of courage but also One of Sacrifice which forces journalists to ask whether they have stayed true to the mission of the profession.
Speaking at the 7th Bagauda Kaltho Media lecture themed “Journalism in Turbulent Times: Navigating through the Pressures”, Dr Danladi observed that across Nigeria and Africa, journalism finds itself in stormy waters such as assault by political power, strangled by economic decline, distorted by technological disruption, among others.
The University Don was of the opinion that while it is easy to reduce Kaltho’s legacy to martyrdom, he did not seek to be a hero. “He simply chose not to compromise truth. When faced with the option of safety through silence, he chose risk through resistance. That is his gift and his challenge to up-coming journalists not to romaönticize sacrifice, but to embrace responsibility. “His story is not only about state brutality—it is about journalistic courage”.
While acknowledging the turbulent times , Dr. Danladi said the turbulence does not excuse weakness but demands clarity, courage, systemic change. “If journalism retreats, democracy collapses, if journalism bends, history is distorted and if journalism dies, society loses memory itself”, he emphasized.
He spoke on how journalists in the pursuit of truth and justice endured intimidation, harassment, physical attack, kidnapping arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.
Dr. Danladi stressed the need for journalists to push for reforms so that restrictive laws be dismantled, Freedom of Information be expanded while Media unions and associations be revitalised.
This task, he said, is not for journalists alone, but a democratic project that requires alliances with civil society, lawyers and international partners.
“Courage is important, but courage alone is not enough. Investigative journalism must be backed by structures: legal defense units, cross-border networks, safety protocols, and technological tools.
“In Nigeria, vague legal instruments, from the Cybercrime Act to charges of “terrorism”, have been used to intimidate and silence reporters, while Investigative journalists, in particular, find themselves under surveillance, harassment, or outright detention.
Further more “Journalists today are psychologically tired. They are weary of working without pay, risking their lives to expose corruption, only to watch those exposed walk free. They are weary of being mocked by a public that no longer sees them as heroes of democracy but as hustlers chasing headlines. This fatigue is an emotional burden,” he lamented.
The University Don also spoke of more dangerous reality which is media ownership, noting that many outlets are owned by political and business elites who dictate editorial lines paving way for self-censorship to thrive and truth, negotiable.
Dr. Danladi tasked journalists to teach their audiences to see journalism not as disposable content but as a civic necessity by adopting new methods like explainer journalism, community dialogues, and fact-check collaborations, pointing out that without an informed public that values truth, journalism cannot thrive.
A discussant, Sylvia Nankya of Uganda Radio Network said the situation in her country was not different from others, as many journalists were arrested and detained without trial.
Most of the radio stations in Uganda, she added, are owned by politicians which affects journalism practice.
Efforts, Nankya said, are also being made to restore sanity into the practice of journalism, while emphasis are laid on training and retraining for a change.
Another discussant and Executive Director, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade who was delisted in May this year from watchlist after 40 years by DSS spoke of the turbulence during the military era that was characterized by draconian laws.
Declaring the event closed, the Executive Director of the Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF, organisers of the virtual conference, Mrs Sekyen Dadik thanked the paper presenter and discussants saying the organisation feels excited for their positive response whenever called upon.
She said it was gratifying to note that the efforts of the AMDF which has been organising the annual conference, were not in vain as the Federal Government recognised the supreme sacrifice through a post – humous National honours on the investigative journalist, Bagauda Kaltho.
The event featured presentation of Courage in Journalism Award to Thomas Mukhwana of Kenya who persevered through harassment and arrest during the #Endfinancebill protest in 2024.
Sekyen said despite the ordeal, the awardee did not give up or drop his pen.
Responding, Mukhwana expressed gratitude to AMDF for the Award, which he said, was very encouraging and promised to keep on.
The AMDF introduced the annual lecture series to immortalise Mr Bagauda Kaltho, a courageous investigative journalist who disappeared between late 1996 and early 1997 during the regime of Late General Sani Abacha.
