Emmanuel OchayiIn a bid to strengthen their watchdog role, journalists from North-East Nigeria have urged the media to adopt audit reporting as a vital tool to hold governments accountable.
This call to action emerged from the Fifth Audit Reporting Workshop, organised by the FrontFoot Media Initiative in Gombe State, which brought together 46 participants from various media platforms and five states.
The journalists emphasised that audit reports, mandated by the constitution, contain crucial information that deserves wider exposure. They urged the media to take the lead in implementing audit reporting, providing comprehensive coverage of public financial management, and significantly contributing to government accountability.
According to the communique signed by Umar Said, Victoria Roland Andekin, and Chika Udenkwo, audit reporting is essential for promoting government transparency.
The journalists stressed the need for repeat training sessions to establish audit reporting as a standard practice in the media.
By adopting audit reporting, the media can play a more effective role in monitoring government activities and promoting transparency in public financial management. This move is expected to enhance government accountability and encourage responsible governance in North East Nigeria.
The workshop’s recommendation highlights the importance of audit reporting in ensuring that governments are transparent and accountable for their actions. As the media continues to play a vital role in promoting good governance, the adoption of audit reporting is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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