The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for a paradigm shift in Nigerian journalism, urging reporters to project the country’s strengths to the world while holding the government accountable.
At the inauguration of the House Press Corps executives on Thursday, Kalu pushed back against what he described as an overemphasis on negative reporting. He cited feedback from EU ambassadors who questioned why Nigeria’s abundant opportunities are frequently overshadowed by its struggles.
“Can we raise their consciousness to begin to see what we did wrong and what we have made right?” he asked. “That is a challenge to you, the new executive, and the members of the press corps.”
Kalu stressed that highlighting the “good stories” of the current administration and the country’s potential does not violate journalistic principles but rather fulfills the media’s duty to provide a complete picture.
He also charged the press with the critical task of unifying the nation through their reporting. “Your pen has a core function… for the purpose of uniting the nation,” he said, warning that the same power used to unite could be used to divide.
Supporting the call for transparency, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr. reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to accessibility, stating that the press corps remains “a unique place in our democratic system” and is essential for citizens to understand legislative processes.