President Goodluck Jonathan has passed a damning verdict on the Nigerian media, claiming that the nation’s media is politicised.
According to the president, the Nigerian media is no longer the voice of ordinary people, but “the voices of their ‘rich owners’.”
“Before, the media used to be the voice of the ordinary people, but now, the media is the voice of those who own the media houses and those who owned the media houses have private jets and those who own private jets are not ordinary people.”
Mr. Jonathan made this known while unveiling the new performance assessment scheme for members of his cabinet on Wednesday, to highlight government’s targets and achievements in all sectors of governance.
The president also blamed the necessity for the new performance evaluation mechanism on the mass media, which he said no longer reflects the voice of the ordinary man.
On the signing of the performance assessment scheme, Jonathan assured the cabinet members that initiative was not to witch hunt any of them.
President Jonathan promised that he would not go back in his desire to meet up with the task set before his administration.
He said the exercise was only meant to remind all public office holders that they are representatives of Nigerians and they (the officials) are accountable to the people.
“There have been all kinds of speculations about this exercise. It is important to state what it is and what it is not” he said.
“I want to assure every one of you who has taken part in the exercise that this is not a witch-hunt.”
“It is to remind all of us, from the President to directors-general, to advisers and other aides that we are representatives of the Nigerian people, and we are accountable to them at all times.
“I had stated clearly during the inauguration of the Federal Executive Council that ministers are expected to be accountable, productive, transparent and focused.
“In the past two months, many of you have had to make detailed presentations on the Key Performance Indicators in your ministries. Today’s exercise is yet a reminder of our commitment to service delivery for the common good of Nigerians.”
