Media  is the engine room of democracy, says Prof Okunna

Maduako Igbokwe I Thursday, August 03, 2023

AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – Deputy Vice Chancellor ( Academic) , Paul University, Awka Anambra State Prof (Mrs) Stella Okunna has described the media as engine  room of  democracy.

She stated this at the  Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Chapter ‘NUJ 2023 Award’ held at its secretariat, during the award conferment  ceremony of Superintendent of Police Mr Chimdebele Nkemsinachi  and chairman ,Unizik Alumni Association, Engineer Emeka Nwafor.

Okunna who was the former Dean,Faulty sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka  said journalism  is fearless a job,that any person with bias cannot practice .

“Our job is watchdog. It is frightful and  dangerous. Media is the purview of democracy” she said.

She said that without media there is no democracy any where in the world.

Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU Unizik and the  chairman of the occasion Prof Ubaoji Kingsley,said that any journalist who cannot say the truth is not worthy to practice.

” If you are a journalist and you cannot report the truth,you are not worthy to be a journalist. Your job  is to tell the government the truth at all times.

The job has alot of challenges and despite the challenges, you have the right to speak the truth at all times” he said.

According to him, a  journalist has  sacred function to say the truth at all times for the good of the society.

Speaking also,the chairman of Anambra State of NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu said the award was for service to humanity and not monetary gain.

“The award is for service to humanity and not for   money. Every award is not about money. There are other people that need to be honoured, there are some  road traffic  controllers who do work with their hearts,they  will soon be recognized” he said.

He said anybody who tries to play down on journalists will have  himself to  blame.