The media over the years have been globally acknowledged as the
watch dog of the society and their information/monitoring roles considered a
sine qua non for democracy and good governance. Nigeria like most other
democratic countries entrenched the principles of Good Governance as
possible criteria for democratic governance in her 1999 constitution.
However, despite this constitutional provision, as well as the enormous
financial resources, and huge potentials of the country, good governance
continues to be elusive to Nigeria. This paper argues that media's potential to
contribute to Good Governance depends on the extent the media reflect and
enforce the principles of good governance as an institution. The paper also
identifies why and how the media are critical sectors in shaping governance
while highlighting some of the principal opportunities and challenges to
engaging with the sector. This work also provides a critical discourse of the
concept of good governance. The paper concludes that for the media to
contribute effectively in enthroning good governance, they must as a matter
of responsibility apply the basic principles of patriotism, accountability,
transparency and objectivity in the discharge of their duties and uphold the
sanctity of truth and fairness at all times.