Professor Olagoke Tasks Media Professionals On Grassroots Reporting, Accountability, Stronger Local Governance
Written by News Desk on November 6, 2026
………..as he bags Humanitarian Service Award in Ibadan
The Founder and Grand Imam, Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, JP, has called on media professionals to amplify grassroots voices and strengthen local governance through responsible journalism.
Professor Olagoke made the call at a ceremony held at the Local Government Staff Training Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In his lecture titled, “Amplifying The Grassroots By Strengthening Local Governance Through Responsible Media,” Professor Olagoke said responsible media remains central to deepening democracy and ensuring citizens enjoy democratic dividends.
He identified the major challenges of responsible media practice as political and economic interference, misinformation and disinformation, limited resources and professional capacity, inadequate access to public information, and safety, ethics and public trust.
While speaking on how to address the identified challenges, the Scholar proposed a five-part practical framework, Information, Inclusion, Investigation, Interaction and Institutional Response.
According to Professor Olagoke, public institutions should make relevant information about policies, budgets, projects and service delivery accessible, while media organisations should gather, verify and explain such information in language the public can understand.
He added that media must deliberately create opportunities for marginalised and under-served groups to participate in public discussion, investigate credible public-interest concerns, and create regular platforms for constructive engagement among citizens, public officials, traditional institutions and civil society.
“Public authorities should respond to legitimate questions, address verified service delivery problems, and communicate progress on commitments. Media organisations should follow up on significant issues and inform the public about what has changed and what remains unresolved,” Professor Olagoke said.
He also recommended that media organisations should strengthen community journalism, local government authorities should institutionalise transparent communication on public projects, while journalism training institutions should strengthen professional capacity in investigative journalism, data analysis, digital verification and media ethics.
Other recommendations include inclusive participation by community leaders, social accountability by civil society organisations, stronger media literacy by citizens, follow-up mechanisms by media houses, and protection of the space for responsible criticism by public institutions.
“Democracy is not sustained by elections alone. It is also sustained by the continuous exchange of information, the willingness of institutions to answer legitimate questions, and the ability of citizens to participate meaningfully in public affairs,” he added.
“A media institution that spreads falsehoods cannot reliably strengthen accountability. A government that refuses legitimate scrutiny cannot build enduring public trust,” he maintained.
Professor Olagoke said the ultimate measure of responsible media is not the number of stories published, but the quality of public understanding it promotes and its contribution to transparency and accountability.
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of award to Professor Olagoke and the cutting of his 70th birthday Cake
