Media regulators, professionals, investors in the industry, and the government, among other stakeholders, have been charged to intensify efforts at protecting the media environment from fake news.
A prominent political leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Segun Sowunmi gave the charge in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while speaking with newsmen on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
Mr Sowunmi, who maintained that access to information technology and the internet, had expanded the operational space for journalists and custodians of information urged them to guard against misinformation, media victimization, and cyberbullying.
Mr Sowunmi, who said that a certain level of press freedom existed in the country, emphasized that the safety of journalists must be accorded priority, considering the peril and risks of the job.
Mr Sowunmi explained that the media as the fourth Estate of the Realm must continue to hold the government accountable to the people on the need to address salient issues, including the current global environmental crisis in line with the theme for this year’s celebration, ”A press for the planet: Journalism in the face of Environmental crisis”
Speaking on the Country’s electoral system, Mr Sowunmi maintained that there was a need to reform, restructure, and redirection of political parties to live up to expectations as the platform for the people to pursue political ambitions.
Senator representing Oyo South, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli has said that press freedom was essential for upholding democratic values and promoting transparency.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.
This is in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a UN-recognized international day observed annually on November 2.
Alli, the Senate Committee Chairman of INEC, said it was imperative to express solidarity with all journalists and join them in the fight against any form of violence or harassment they encounter.
He stressed the need to address issues of impunity, while ensuring those who commit crimes against journalists are brought to justice.
“As we commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, it is crucial for us to recognize the significant role that journalists play in society.
“It is disheartening to note that journalists around the world continue to face threats, harassment, and violence, which hinders their ability to carry out their work fearlessly.
“On this day, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the freedom of the press and protecting those who play a vital role in our society,” he said.
Alli said journalists are the watchdogs who bring forth vital information for a functioning democracy and hold those in power accountable.
The lawmaker stressed that conducive environment must be created for journalists to operate freely without fear of reprisals.
“Today, we honor and remember journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth. Their sacrifice is a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who bring us the news.
“It is our responsibility as lawmakers to enact and enforce laws that safeguard the rights of journalists and bring an end to impunity.
“This involves strengthening legal frameworks that protect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists,” he said.
He said that journalists should be able to investigate and report on issues of public interest without intimidation.
Alli said that the society as well as other stakeholders must work towards creating a culture that respects and value the important work done by journalists.
The lawmaker charged government as well as international bodies to collaborate towards ensuring the safety and protection of journalists.
“We must prioritize efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for crimes committed against journalists.
“This will send a strong message that attacks on the press will not be tolerated.
“It is our duty to ensure that journalists are empowered to carry out their work without fear, while those who seek to silence them are held accountable,” he said.
He expressed solidarity with journalists, calling for the creation of an environment where journalists can operate without let and contribute to the betterment of our societies.
As the era of digital technology keeps unfolding, there is a need for media professionals to re-strategise to attain excellence and curb junk journalism. This was part of the way forward mapped out by communication experts during an empowerment series forum of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, ACSPN, held in Oyo town. Delivering a lecture titled, Media Professionalism in the Era of Digital Disruption: Strategies and Tactics For Excellent Performance, guest speaker at the occasion, Dr Qasim Akinreti highlighted the need for the traditional media and new media to co-exist in the era of digital technology. Cue in: what weCue out: profession Dr Akinreti who is a Deputy Director at the Voice of Nigeria, VON, and also a former chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos state council, urged upcoming journalists to take advantage of opportunities offered by digital innovations In breaking new grounds. According to a Don in the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Muyiwa Popoola, the empowerment series in conjunction with the institution would go a long way in enriching communication scholars and professionals. In attendance at the forum were the Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University Oyo, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, eminent Communication and Media Studies scholars, members of the ACSPN and mass communication students from various institutions. Kayode Oguntona.
The Network of Africa Women Journalists also known as Les Panafricaines held her annual forum in Casablanca, Morocco on the 6th and 7th March 2020 to discuss the issues affecting Africa. The theme for the 2020 was ‘Climate Emergency; African Media, Agents of change’.
The network was birthed in 2017 by Radio 2M, with its headquarters in Casablanca, Morocco. It is a network that aims to promote greater responsibilities on African media in the treatment of key issues of interest to public opinion on the continent as well as to be genuine platform for debate and advocacy. At its premiere convocation in 2017, the forum brought together more than 100 women journalists which include editors, reporters and producers from Television, Radio and Print media across Africa.
They came from 27 French speaking African countries to discuss the effect of migration as it affects Africa as a continent. This was created just shortly after Morocco’s return to the African Union and when UN came up with the theme ‘Women in a changing world of work’.
The 2nd edition of the Les Panafricaines forum took place in Casablanca on the 26th and 27th October, 2018. It brought together over 200 female journalists from 54 African countries to deliberate on the issue of migration and how it affects Africans.
The 2020 edition, which is the third, brought together 300 African women journalists from all over the African countries to trash the challenges of climate change and to be seen as media concern across African nations. The theme was “Climate Emergency; African Media, Agents of change’’.
The forum described climate emergency as a situation that needs urgent action required to reduce or halt climate change to avoid potentially irreversible environmental damage resulting from it.
Climate change on the other hand is a long term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define earth’s local, regional and global climates. These changes have a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term. The media as the agents of change have a great role in the coverage of events in African countries primarily from in house journalists in their employ or African news organizations.
Being an agent of change is trying in one’s own way to make a difference {positively} in the world for it to be a much better place. We can discuss the power of one person to starting a movement and how it leads to power of many people making a change.
The choice of climate emergency as the main theme confirms the major role of the media to forming and raising awareness in Africa. For Les Panafricaines, the challenge today is to make a paradigm shift on the continental level to develop a common vision and above all to change the perception linked to the realities of the continent.
At the opening ceremony, the General Manager of 2M, Salim Cheik, expressed his joy and pride to meet with female journalists again for the 3rd edition of the forum.
Les Panafricaines was initiated by 2M and carried out by Radio 2M through its gender and diversity committee, Cheik spelt out the three strategic plans for 2M, which according to him are;
• The deserved valorization of Morocco and of African continent
• The enhancement of women and
• The protection of the environment.
Cheik said these were the three core values of the 2M media and they are independent and parcel of deep civic commitment.
In an address the chief editor of Radio 2M, Fathia Elaouni, explained that climate change was chosen because it appeared the earth faced quite a lot of problems, pointing out that African countries are being threatened hence the need for journalists to sensitize citizens on the bright side and not just the dark side of issues.
This, she said necessitated the invitation of Women journalists from 54 African countries to talk about climate change and the Panafricaines needed to be the voice of Africa.
The conference showcased various workshops such as;
• Succeeding in Africa’s energy transition issues and challenges.
• Challenges of sustainable management of water resources.
• Sustainable Agriculture; A green economy for Africa.
• Health impact of climate change; which strategy to adopt.
• What sustainable development for African cities?
• Waste management, a decisive lever in the fight against climate change.
• In the adaptation of climate change, the media can be agents of change.
The health impact of climate change was keenly discussed with an expert in charge of the topic in the person of Rachid Wahabi who is the head of the Environmental Health Division at the ministry of health.
He is also a member of the WHO network “Chemical Health Risk Assessors”. He emphasized the need for women journalists to create awareness on diseases associated with climate change and how such diseases had affected African people.
The medical expert advised health policymakers to initiate policies and create awareness for the people to start to fight these diseases from the scratch. He said there should be synergy between policymakers and the media for easy understanding to confront the problem headlong.“We must also establish dialogue, that is, exchange information to accomplish one’s mission so as to inform one’s audience. A cross-relationship should be in a place where they are aware that there are deliberations in the national and international levels”.
On deaths caused by Climate change, the medical practitioner linked most African deaths to climate change saying health authorities should prevent catastrophes by being in line with the dynamics of the diseases and decrease in temperature.
According to him, quality Health infrastructures should be put in place to prepare health authorities to be able to handle and control diseases. The dynamics of diseases should be studied by health institutions. Wahabi called on Ministers of health across the continent to evaluate the causes and effects of diseases in future due to the rise in temperature.
“The link between cholera and climate change for example makes infrastructure vulnerable if the system is not well prepared in terms of closing and leakages and diseases will penetrate the water. Cholera can be fought against if there is no penetration of water. Pipeline should be checked from time to time, this is because epidemic diseases usually come in if there is no proper water system”.
The conference featured election by the Network of women journalists electronically to set priorities for the 2020 action plan. They voted for 3 media agents of change which has 24% of votes followed by the health impact of climate change with 13% votes, sustainable development in African cities 10%, Africa’s energy transition 8% and sustainable agriculture 8% votes.
In a Closing remark, a member of the permanent committee of the forum Samira Sitail commended the success of the conference saying we as members of civil society are obliged to succeed where political organizations have failed. ‘’We are all different and at the same time all alike.
As women journalists, we face same problems and difficulties. We also share the same energy and the same will to move Africa forward. Let’s be united, a union that will make us strong’’. She appreciated the African Women Journalists from 54 African countries who attended the forum calling them to learn more about the damages done to our countries by climate change and to use our media strength to propagate messages that will be of benefit to the people.
She admonished journalists to do away with fake news and begin to dish out real-life situations in a way that will bring stability to the countries.’’ Les Panafricaines forum is determined to be the force that would promote credible news for Africa and the world at large’’.
Team Nigeria at Mediouna
Team Nigeria
Earlier, the team went on a visit to Mediouna Water Waste Treatment Plant and its experimental area of urban agriculture.
We saw a garden where vegetables and other crops were planted. Interestingly, the vegetables are a product of garden waste and they survive from waste-treated water which is only suitable for planting alone and not for drinking.
They have plants like red potatoes, spinach and carrots. The vegetables are planted depending on the season.
The experiment started during winter period in 2017 and the garden came alive on the 8th of October 2019. From the look of things, one could tell that the experiments were yielding good results. The purpose of this experiment was to avoid the use of chemicals and pesticides.
Addressing the participants, Hajar Nourredine, an environmental scientist explained the issues faced in Casablanca in terms of water usage and wastewater management.
She said Casablanca is one of the megacities of Africa and it is the prominent city in Morocco with 5million inhabitants and this engages a lot of wastewater management issues.
The waste treatment plant of Mediouna according to her is one of the best solutions, not just to treat water but to recycle and reuse it for agriculture. ‘’Casablanca, being a big city surrounded with agricultural areas has limited water to use in agriculture, so the Mediouna station helps to produce treated water to boost the agricultural activities. Other things that affect the city in terms of climate factor are disparity of natural resources, waste management and temperature’’.
The Deputy Director, News, FRCN, lbadan National Station, Elder Adenrele Ajisefinni made the remark at a training for translators held at Radio Nigeria Gold FM, Ilesa, Osun State.
Highliting the qualities of a good translator, the resource person and Deputy Director News, Elder Ajisefinni said a good translator must have nose for unusual events, sense of humour, ability to talk the news and excellent use of cultural language. Elder Ajisefinni maintained that a perfect and committed staff especially in the News Department must always exhibit proficiency in the use of both English and Yoruba languages.
From far right: Head of Programmes, Mr Adewale Abayomi, Assistant Director Marketing, Mrs Kemi Oni, Deputy Director News, Elder Adenrele Ajisefinni (Guest Lecturer) and Manager News, Elder Akintunji Akinleye at the training organized for the staff of Radio Nigeria, Gold FM on the efficiency of the use of language especially Yoruba language on air.
On the purpose of the training, the Manager News Gold FM, Akintunji Akinleye, expressed the believe that the session would further enrich the knowledge of the staff and re-equip them for efficiency. The Assistant Director, Marketing, Mrs Kemi Oni, in a remark noted that the training would also provide the needed guide towards serving the teeming listeners better.
Declaring the workshop open, the General Manager of the station, Mr. Adedamola Tinubu who described the resource person, Elder Ajisefinni as “a round peg in a round hole”, advised the participants to drink from his pool of professional knowledge.
Two of the participants at the workshop, Gideon Aluko and Sarah Sanni said the training was timely, promising to make the best use of the experience acquired during session.
The number of women in journalism and broadcast stations in the country is on the increase in recent time. In this special report, our correspondent, Adetutu Adetule, who visited some media houses in the Southwest region, also reports that more females occupy higher managerial posts in the profession.
Journalists and media professionals have been enjoined to always prioritize their safety at reportorial assignments to scale through the second wave of Covid-19
The Director, News and Current Affairs, Radio Nigeria, Headquarters, Abuja, Alhaji Sanni Suleiman gave the advice in Ibadan while addressing management and staff of the News and Current Affairs Department of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Zonal Station.
Alhaji Suleiman, who explained that journalists were at risk of attacks and other hazards, especially the Covid-19, otherwise known as Coronavirus, currently ravaging the world, urged them to be safety conscious in their pursuits.
He also encouraged Media professionals to fact-check their materials before broadcast so as not to misinform the public or cause crisis.
In his address of welcome, Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, Elder Adenrele Ajisefini appreciated the Director News for his professional advice and solicited more supports for the zone for outstanding performance.
Earlier, Assitant Directors in the zone, Mr Olusola Adewale, Dr. Olusola Agboola, Mr Yinka Akintola and Mr Adewumi Faniran, had intimated the visiting Director News of the challenges in their Units of operation in the Department.
Journalists have been challenged to wrestle social media space with charlatans using the platforms to spread fake news and misinformation.
The immediate past General Manager of Nigeria Television Authority, NTA Katsina, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, disclosed this while speaking on “Journalism in an era of misinformation” at the memorial lecture of the former General Manager of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), Mr. Diji Akinhanmi.
The veteran journalist noted that if professional journalists allow quacks to continually dominate the social media platforms, more harms would be done to the profession and the Society at large.
Alhaji Soaga noted that quacks have hijacked the social media spaces and exploited it to turn out half – baked, unverified and fake news to the detriment of the society and journalism.
He submitted that professional journalists should at this time dominate the social media space with ethically oriented reports in order to stem the tide of misinformation.
Stakeholders who spoke at the memorial lecture described Mr. Diji Akinhanmi, who died a year ago, as a thoroughbred professional, efficient and distinguished journalist.
The President of Abeokuta Club, Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi noted that the late GM touched lives of both the old and the young in journalism profession and beyond.
He advised journalists to emulate the late Akinhanmi’s virtues of responsible journalism practice.
The outgoing Director, New Media, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, , Pastor Dare Olorunfemi has described his experience with the media platform as highly remarkable.
Pastor Olorunfemi while recounting his ups and downs in his thirty years’ service with FRCN said though he faced many challenges, God sustained him all through.
“You know what it means to be in a place for thirty years? I struggled to leave, adversaries forced me to leave, death attempted to force me to leave but God kept me. It is against my will to stay for thus long, it is against the will of my enemy but ultimately, it is the perfect will of God” He said.
The outgoing officer who recalled with nostalgia the gains of working with FRCN, hinted that the platform gave him the opportunity to climb higher echelon.
“The platform God used to take me to nations beyond my imagination, to meet people I wouldn’t have met in life, to step on platforms I wouldn’t have been able to step on otherwise. Today is very nostalgic because as I thank God for my life so far, and I also back look at a career path which God has used to raise me.”
“I used tell people, the greatest I would have been is a Palm wine tapper, hunter or both but God has done much more for me.”
Speaking on pen profession, Pastor Olorunfemi described it as “a big profession that provides the opportunity to serve God and his creation, a platform that gives voice of the voiceless, a voice to fight injustice, and a platform to be an advocate. On the other side, it could be a platform for adversaries where you do bad”.
“Journalism is a two-edged sword, you can use it to the advancement of humanity, you can use it to create adversity, you can use it to actualise whatever God had deposited in you; as a teacher, counselor or whatever”
Pastor Olorunfemi, however, expressed regret that the value system in the journalism profession had been corrupted and standards have fallen as a result.
He added that crop of practitioners in recent times who were expected to know much about everything usually fall below the required standard.
Pastor Olorunfemi then charged practicing journalists to perform their role according to professional ethics of the job, so as to the profession to enviable heights.
