The media is fundamentally the ‘Fourth Estate of the Realm.’ It is a term that symbolizes our role as the watchdog over the three traditional branches of government: the legislature, executive and judiciary. We are a vital pillar of democracy, built to demand accountability and transparency. By design, the media is saddled with this “watchdog” function: to sniff out corruption, misconduct, and the abuse of power. We are the independent check and balance that society relies on.
Part of our core job is to keep the public informed on critical issues and facilitate real discourse in governance. We set the agenda; the press highlights the issues that dominate public attention. We are the bridge between the government and the governed, fostering the communication that keeps a democracy developing.
This is why I find it appalling – an absolute slight to our profession – that entities are emerging out of nowhere to claim a similar title: the “Fourth Arm of Government.” The Fourth Estate, as propounded by Edmund Burke and popularized by Thomas Carlyle, is the legitimate force that follows the three arms of state. It is a total ridicule of our calling when these groups emerge and trick people into believing they have taken over from the Press.
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It would be all well and good if these entities followed the code of ethics expected of media professionals. But it is a total disregard for our noble craft when people with zero training hijack the practice and make a mockery of it. In fact, I see it as a slap in the face of global journalism. I’m not saying only those with journalism degrees should be watchdogs – many online bloggers are doing a brilliant job supporting the cause. My point is about those who snatch this mantle only to spread blatant lies and arrant nonsense.
As watchdogs, our job is to report corruption fairly and objectively without losing our decorum. We shouldn’t throw caution to the wind by “dragging” or insulting offenders and their families. If we are expected to act as a check and balance, our first check must be on ourselves! We have to verify the accuracy of what we disseminate. We cannot peddle false narratives that mislead the public or cause civil unrest. Only when we are balanced can we report with the hope of prompting real action or correction.
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On agenda setting, social media seems to have taken over. The press has little control over the platforms, but we have been far too relaxed in our duty to bridge the gap between the leaders and the people. For years, we’ve watched as “self-acclaimed” activists connect with the public in a rude, defiant, and defamatory manner. To imagine these “Messiahs” will push a cause only until their palms are greased is a total bastardization of the Fourth Estate. Names are being unduly dragged and reputations bullied for offenses never committed. No real medium would do that. Only an activist who lacks the ethical basis of a newsman would resort to such tactics.
Perhaps out of a fear of being “out-trended”, the press has become complacent, letting others take the shine from an obligation we were birthed with. Little wonder we see the rise of degenerates forming what looks like a cult while claiming a “revolution.” As Yeyelu Queen Willy recently posted on Facebook, many of these people have become the very thing they preach against – a group that treats insults as arguments and threats as activism. They attack single mothers and threaten anyone who dares to think differently from their leader. There is no freedom of thought in this “Fourth Arm.” Criminally minded youths now hide under this guise, waiting for the chance to perpetrate evil, believing their “online cult” will deliver them in the day of trouble.
This is where the media needs to ARISE and start setting the right agenda. Our indifference is the reason we wake up to see more degenerates who mistake intimidation for “watchdogging.” It has gone too far. We now see bloggers with zero experience taking the pains to lecture the government – and even the press – on what our core functions should be.
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This write-up isn’t just about trashing a “Messiah”; it is a wake-up call. While we shy away from social media, our noble profession is being dressed in a fake robe and we are fast losing relevance. When I discuss this with colleagues, I get the usual: “ignore the online banter and mind serious news.” But what is “serious news” when online vitriol is setting the standard for the next generation? We cannot let them believe that today’s unethical behavior is the same as the principles we were taught in school.
I don’t entirely blame the journalists – many aren’t media owners. Owners are struggling just to stay afloat and pay salaries. Why risk a backlash from an angry digital mob? But while we stay quiet, we see supposedly knowledgeable people claiming to be “investigative journalists” when they are really just reporting scandals involving minors or using “big-big grammar” to cover up thin reporting.
This isn’t a call to attack; it is a call to DEFEND. I know the press isn’t perfect – we’ve failed at times and been swayed by politics. But that gives no justification for a layman to make a mockery of our roles. We must protect our values. We must set agenda that promote sound morals, stopping the trend where kids feel empowered to enter a grandfather’s DMs just to hurl insults. No! No! This is not who we are. This is not what we were taught in the School of Journalism and this is not what the media should overlook. Thus, I say: Media Arise!
On August 7, 2025, Fred Chukwuelobe asked in The Sun: “Is the media still the fourth estate of the realm?” He noted that government officials have taken over our roles while we stay idle. I am specifically worried about the media losing its relevance on social media. We may have been boxed into a corner because society doesn’t seem to value the truth anymore, but we must stop the spread of misinformation.
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In this digital age, balancing speed and accuracy is hard, but we cannot sit with folded arms. Gen-Z might not read a long editorial, but we can take verified, punchy snippets of our work and meet them where they are – on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X. We have to act as the filter, building trust through real, conversational engagement.
Even if the system is mad, we can’t join the madness. When the structure is broken, the media can’t just report – we have to rebuild how people think. Right now, nobody is looking to the newsroom for truth. They’re looking to whoever shouts loudest on a phone.
This is where character shows. If we let the digital mob tell us how to do our jobs, we aren’t just losing ground – we’re helping bury the country. These fake activists and online cults are the sickness that shows up when the old order is dying. Standing up isn’t a choice anymore. It’s resistance. If we don’t hold the line on truth, we won’t just be ignored, we’ll be guilty too.
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I also suggest the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) establish dedicated digital desks to debunk fake news and authenticate genuine reports. They should be the ones bringing clarity to a troubled public.
As the real Fourth Estate, we can transform chaotic platforms into reliable sources of information. We can do it if we stop sittingDorcas Sanni Ojelabi, on the fence. We must stop reporting on festivals while the nation is boiling, or focusing on the stock exchange while human lives are being traded for ransom. When we stop being tribalistic and start caring about the plight of every Nigerian, we will reclaim our title.
We can, if only we ARISE!
Dorcas Sanni Ojelabi, aka, Alagatosoji MC DSO
