By Bolujoko Abiodun
Both electronic and print media in the country have been urged to hold government accountable to the people as journalism is inseparable from democracy.
This was the assertion of the Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi while speaking last Thursday during the 9th Doyin Mahmoud Annual Public Lecture in honour of the pioneer Head of Mass Communication Department, University of Ilorin.
The lecture held at the institution’s auditorium was tagged “Digital Marketing and the Future of Traditional Media.”
Speaking further, Olorunyomi who was the Guest Speaker, said democracy deteriorates in the measure to which the media deteriorates.
“You really cannot have a healthy democracy where the press have not been an accountability enterprise,” he said.
He added, “what ethics will guide our practice where the traditional consumer of journalism has herself become a producer of journalism via newsletters, blogs and other aggregation strategies and is even able to draw significant eyeballs far beyond? This is the challenge of the digital era.”
According to him, independent journalism will invariably set agendas; hold those in power accountable through original and investigative reporting.”
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem Age appreciated the department for sustainability of the annual lecture even as described the guests in attendance as allies.
In her welcome address, the Head of Department, Dr. Sadiat Abdulbaqi said, “Doyin worked tirelessly to instil a culture of discipline, professionalism in the department, as well as the entrenched enduring spirit of camaraderie in all of us as colleagues”.
She also added that “one of the legacies of Mr. Doyin Mahmoud is today’s Guest Lecturer, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi and I must acknowledge his deep rooted love for his boss, which made him truncate his trip abroad to be here. Were it possible for the dead to know what goes on earth, I can bet that Mr. Doyin Mahmoud will be beaming his infectious smile in appreciation of every one of you.”
Among the guests is the former Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, who was represented by Prof. B.O. Yusuf.
