Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has described the Judiciary and the Media as critical pillars of democracy, highlighting their complementary roles in upholding justice and accountability in society.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, represented by the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), AbdulAziz Olumo, made this assertion at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, (NAJUC), in Abuja.
According to her, the Judiciary serves as the “guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law,” while the Media acts as “the conscience of society, disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and ensuring accountability.” She emphasized that both institutions are indispensable in a democratic society, providing essential checks and balances.
Quoting former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, she noted: “Free press is not to be preferred to an independent Judiciary, nor an independent Judiciary to a free press. Neither has primacy over the other; both are indispensable to a free society.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun acknowledged the challenges posed by media scrutiny of judicial proceedings, noting its potential to shape public perception and influence outcomes. She cautioned against sensationalism, which she said distorts facts, erodes public trust, and undermines the integrity of both the media and the Judiciary.
Citing the 2016 sensational headline such as, We raided the houses of corrupt, unholy judges, says DSS, she said such reporting, often lacking context, can paint a skewed picture of the justice system and lead to trial by media, where cases are prejudged in the court of public opinion.
To address these challenges, the CJN urged judiciary correspondents to uphold professionalism, accuracy, and objectivity, stressing that “the sole aim of journalism should be service,” as Mahatma Gandhi once stated. She also encouraged NAJUC to take proactive steps in regulating its members activities to safeguard media credibility.
Highlighting global best practices, Justice Kekere-Ekun referenced the media guides adopted by courts in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, which offer clarity on judicial reporting protocols. She advocated for a similar initiative in Nigeria, calling for the development of a comprehensive media guide tailored to the Nigerian judicial landscape.
The CJN urged judiciary correspondents to familiarise themselves with court rules and procedures, noting that such understanding would enable them to report judicial matters more responsibly.
She praised the theme of the conference, The Role of Courts in Enforcement of Judgments, describing it as both timely and significant in promoting the rule of law. Justice Kekere-Ekun commended NAJUCs leadership, under Chairman Mr. Kayode Lawal, for its commitment to fostering professionalism and transparency in judicial reportage.
I must emphasize the importance of credible journalism in strengthening public trust in the judiciary. Judiciary correspondents must prioritise truth, objectivity, and ethical standards, she stressed.
The conference brought together Judiciary correspondents and stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance media engagement with the courts, and ensure accurate reporting of judicial proceedings.
