Communication

Clergy, Professionals Rub Minds on Challenges of Media at Parley

By Web News 456

By Rotimi Famakin

Overcoming some of the challenges confronting media sector in Nigeria as well as the current dwindling economic took centre stage at a media parley organized by the Directorate of Social Communication of the Catholic Diocese of Ibadan.

The event which climaxed the communication week of the church held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Oke Padre was preceded by the church mass and presentation of Pope Francis message on the Communication Day.

Addressing the participants, the Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN, Ibadan zonal Station, Mr Dominic Mokikan represented by the Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, FRCN, Ibadan, Mr Adewunmi Faniran said  Radio Nigeria had not lagged in the responsibilities of presenting both positive and negative public opinions to government.

Mr Mokikan, who said that FRCN would continue to maintain professionalism in informing and educating government and members of the public noted that FRCN possesses the institution and instincts for personnel career development.

Representatives of veteran journalists, General manager, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Mr Goke Adelokun and Director of Social Communication of the church, Reverend Father Anthony Akiwowo harped on the danger of unemployment posed by Artificial Intelligence for the active sector of Nigerian population, it’s dynamics in human relationship  and the need to harness the opportunities that comes with the new inventions for survival.

Earlier at a holy mass where Pope Francis message on 2024 Communication Day was presented to the church by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, The Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin said God instituted communication from creation, saying modern technology had simplified human communication system.

The Most Reverend  Abegunrin urged Nigerians to be guided by wisdom and engage Artificial Intelligence responsibly for human development rather than for destruction.

Addressing newsmen, the cleric condemned inadequacies of government that are currently reflected in the lack of infrastructure in all sectors of the country.

Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan while bemoaning the current labour wage also expressed displeasure over obsolete media gadgets still in use in some media establishments.

The cleric, however, urged professionals in the media industry not to be daunted but relentlessly present public aspirations to government without intimidation.

Aside special prayers for journalists, the event also featured thanksgiving for the church media men and executives, holy Communion and Bible reading.

Lifestyle

Communication Day: Pope Francis Tasks Journalists on Unifying Society

By Web News 787

Pope Francis wants journalists to place emphasis on stories that build up societies rather than ones that spark violence, sorrows and pains that divide societies.

The Pope spoke in a message to the Holy Communion in Celebration of this year’s World Communication Day at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.

Also speaking from the book of Exodus 2:24-25, the Pope said God was not forgetful of his children in times of trouble and expressed the hope that God would help humanity out of the present pandemic.

In a remark, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Dr Jude Arogundade commended journalists for their hard work and challenged them to be vanguard of stories engendering patriotism, dignity, unity and avoid fake news.

Bishop Arogundade also encouraged journalists to always stand by the truth and shun inducements.

In an address, the chairman Nigeria union of journalists Ondo State Council ,Mr Tona Aderoboye, who said effective communication would strengthen the family and the society, charged parents and other caregivers to ensure that their kids did not abuse communication gadgets to spread fake news .

The President, Catholic Media Practitioners in Ondo State, Mr Daisi Ajayi appreciated the Catholic Church for acknowledging the roles of  media professionals. 

Prayers were offered for journalists in the country as they face the huge task of reporting the coronavirus pandemic.

Correspondent Isaac Afolabi reports that the occasion for the first time in recent time recorded low turnout as only few seminarians and journalists attended in line with the precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Oriola  Afolabi