As Katsina State marked its 38th anniversary this week, the role of the media in strengthening democracy came under sharp focus when a media scholar and lecturer at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Bashir Usman Ruwan Godiya, issued a warning to journalists: “Journalism cannot survive on government crumbs.”
Ruwan Godiya, speaking at a one-day public lecture organized by the Katsina State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), urged media practitioners to reclaim their independence and return to the core principles of accountability journalism. The event, themed “Democracy and Developmental Journalism: A Case Study of Northern Nigeria,” brought together journalists, academics, and stakeholders to reflect on the evolving challenges facing the press in the region.
In his presentation, Ruwan Godiya lamented that Nigerian journalism, once the vanguard of democracy and social justice, is increasingly being reduced to little more than a mouthpiece for those in power. He argued that the growing dependence on government largesse – from press releases to stipends and the notorious “brown envelope” culture – has robbed the media of its credibility and democratic relevance.
“Journalism must not survive on crumbs from government tables. When journalists rely on handouts, they lose independence, integrity, and public trust,” he said firmly.
According to him, the unhealthy culture of waiting for directives and stipends has made newsrooms prioritize political elites while neglecting the very citizens they are supposed to represent. “Our media now reports leaders’ speeches endlessly but rarely captures the voices of ordinary people. Journalism must return to its democratic duty of giving voice to the voiceless,” he emphasized.
Ruwan Godiya described this trend as “commercialized news” that has converted many reporters into echo chambers. Instead of digging deep into issues, investigating corruption, or analyzing policies, he said many journalists now rely almost exclusively on ready-made narratives crafted by government information handlers.
“Government handouts cannot feed the media forever. Independence, research, and professionalism are the only ways to regain credibility and protect democracy,” he warned.
He stressed that without breaking free from the dependence on political patronage, Nigerian journalism risks total irrelevance in the eyes of the public.
The lecturer challenged journalists in Katsina and across Nigeria to embrace what he called “strategic journalism.” This, he explained, means adopting investigative, analytical, and citizen-centered reporting that not only informs but also empowers.
“Journalism is not stenography. It is not about waiting for what government officials will say and then repeating it to the public. Journalism must be proactive, data-driven, and centered on the needs of the people,” he noted.
He called for stronger investment in capacity building, stressing that journalists must continuously update their skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing information environment.
While Ruwan Godiya acknowledged that the Nigerian press has historically played a key role in democratic struggles, he pointed to systemic issues that continue to hinder its growth. These include ownership bias, where media houses are controlled by political figures; poor welfare conditions that make journalists susceptible to inducements; and inadequate professional training.
“Ownership structures have compromised editorial independence, while poor welfare pushes reporters towards compromising standards. But no matter how deep these problems, the first step to recovery is financial independence from government,” he said.
He also tasked the NUJ and other professional associations to take up a more assertive role in protecting journalists from undue political influence. According to him, unless the unions go beyond issuing statements and begin building structures that support independence, the profession will continue to weaken.
“The NUJ must reinvent itself. Beyond solidarity during crises, it must champion training, welfare, and mechanisms that insulate journalists from political handouts. If the unions fail, the profession itself will sink,” he added.
For Ruwan Godiya, the stakes are higher than just the credibility of journalism – democracy itself is endangered. He argued that once the media ceases to serve as the watchdog of society, corruption, abuse of power, and authoritarian tendencies will flourish unchecked.
“The media is democracy’s oxygen. Once you choke it with crumbs from government tables, democracy gasps for breath. The public loses trust, and the system collapses,” he cautioned.
Tying his message to the occasion of Katsina’s 38th anniversary, the scholar urged the state’s journalists to recommit themselves to serving as agents of accountability and development. He pointed out that the state, like many others in Northern Nigeria, faces immense challenges ranging from insecurity and poverty to youth unemployment and poor education standards.
“These issues will not be solved by echoing what politicians say. They require robust journalism that investigates, analyzes, and gives space to citizens’ voices,” he noted.
He urged Katsina journalists to see themselves as partners in the state’s progress – not by siding with government, but by holding it accountable and amplifying the needs of its people.
In concluding his lecture, Ruwan Godiya reminded practitioners that journalism is not just a career but a calling that requires courage and sacrifice.
“Independence, research, and professionalism are the only ways forward. If we do not rise to the challenge, we risk leaving behind a generation of citizens who neither trust the media nor see it as relevant,” he declared.
The lecture, delivered against the backdrop of Katsina’s statehood celebrations, served as a sober reminder that democracy thrives only when its institutions, especially the press, stand strong and uncompromised.
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