Hold leaders accountable, NGO tasks journalists, CSOs
News & Trends •
similarly in her presentation mrs nkechi okoronkwo acting editor-in-chief news agency of nigeria nan underscored the importance of investigative journalism in order to uncover present and publish reports on facts that people try to hide1 actionaid nigeria an ngo has urged the media to effectively discharge its watchdog responsibility by holding leaders accountable to their obligations to the people in the implementation of policies programmes and projects1 the news agency of nigeria nan reports that acdeg was adopted in 2007 at the 8th ordinary session of the assembly of the african union heads of state and government1 aremus lecture was entitled understanding the articles and provisions of acdeg and its relevance to the nigerian democracy1 he said that the charter seeks to promote adherence by each state party to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights among other global standard best practices1 he said that journalists needed to highlight the socio-economic challenges confronting the people in their reportage as well as interrogate government policies and programmes with a view to engendering development and improving general well-being1 the organisations consultant mr tunde aremu made the call at a media training on mobilising civil society support for the implementation of african governance architecture aga and african charter on democracy elections and governance acdeg1 she said that they could also be corrupt steal money break laws and do all sorts of things which harm other people or they might just be incompetent and unable to do their jobs properly1 she said that such people would usually try to keep this knowledge secret so it behoves journalists to try to expose such abuses1 she said that in view if the role of the media it had a duty to watch how well people in power performed their jobs especially those who had been elected to public office1 okoronkwo therefore urged journalists to constantly ask whether such people were keeping their election promises adding that politicians and others who failed in their promises should be exposed1 she urged the media to be diligent in its duty respect the ethics of the profession fact-check their reports and present only the truth to the public1 according to her when the media is up to its task the government will sit up the rule of law will be upheld policies would be implemented and the nation will be better off1