Journalist decries decline in media’s Fourth Estate role

Abuja-BASED journalist, Yusuf Alli, who recently joined the sexagenarian club, has decried the decline in the role of the media as the fourth power in the country.

Receiving officials of the House of Representatives Press Corps led by Grace Ike, he expressed concern about the waning independence of the media.

The Managing Editor (Northern Operations) of the Nation newspapers deplored the media’s gradual slide to the seventh or eighth estate of the realm, losing its capacity of advocacy and ability to frame political issues.

According to him, the mere fact that the content in the media space has become predictable should worry journalists in the country.

Stressing the need to place the sustenance of the ethics of journalism above selfish and primordial interests, he said it behoves practising journalists to come together to salvage the profession through individual and collective efforts.

He noted: “They (politicians) know that they can even buy spaces in the media. They throw advert at you to kill a story and the following day, you will not see the story. They are beginning to understand the game and gradually they are beginning to erode our skills, our independence and the Fourth Estate of the realm is losing its beacon.

“The most important thing is that whatever you do in life will always live after you in life. My appeal to you is to work for legacy. So, what we have to work for is a good name, which is worth more than silver and gold.”

Ike described Alli as not only a super mentor to many young journalists, but also a beacon of hope, who always reminds colleagues that journalism is still a worthy profession that shapes the mood and views of the society.

He added: “At 60, the younger generation look forward to your leadership style and learn more from your experience in the industry over the years.”