Politics

Osun Gov. Poll: NBC Urges Media to Uphold Fairness, Accuracy

By Web News 214

By Mojisola Oladele

Ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, heads of media organisations have been urged to ensure information disseminated to the public is unbiased and in line with the code of the National Broadcasting Commission.

The Director-General of the commission, Charles Ebuebu, made the call at a Political Broadcast Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Osogbo and organised by the NBC Ibadan Zone.

The meeting had the theme: “Upholding Principles of Fairness, Accuracy and Impartiality in an Election.”

Represented by an official from Abuja Directorate, Mr Kunle Famous-Cole, Mr Ebuebu said it was imperative for broadcasters to exercise disciplined judgment, accurate reporting and balanced presentation, while respecting the public’s right to truthful information.

He noted that, political broadcasting carries immense democratic responsibility and stressed that programmes and reportage must remain issue-based and professional in order to sustain the nation’s democracy.

In a paper titled “Political Coverage in the Broadcast Media: The Need for Professionalism,” the Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring at the commission, Susan Obi, said evidence shows that radio remains one of the most accessible media platforms across the country.

Dr Obi therefore urged media organisations to maintain professionalism in their coverage during election periods.

Also speaking, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at the commission, Pauline Ehusani, delivered a lecture titled “The NBC Code: Guiding Principles for Political Broadcasts.”

She emphasised that, all political campaign content must cease 24 hours before election day, in accordance with the NBC Code.

In his presentation titled “INEC Guidelines and Expectations from Broadcasting During Elections,” the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, said the role of broadcast media in shaping public perception, strengthening democratic values and ensuring credible electoral outcomes could not be over-emphasised.

Dr Agboke reiterated the resolve of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a credible, inclusive and transparent election that would reflect the will of the people.

In separate interviews with Radio Nigeria, participants including the General Manager of FRCN Gold FM, Ilesa, Mrs Olukemi Oni, the Station Manager of OSBC Radiovision, Iwo, Alhaji Muideen Adeleke, and a politician, Prince Adesoji Adeleke, commended the NBC for organising the event, describing it as timely and relevant.

The event was attended by heads of radio and television stations across the state, security representatives, political party representatives and other relevant stakeholders.

Communication

AI: Senator Tasks Media on Ethical Guidelines

By Web News 164

By Moyinoluwa Afolabi

News organisations need to develop clear ethical guidelines for the use of Artificial  Intelligence (AI), emphasising transparency, accountability, and respect for intellectual property. 

The guest speaker at the World Press Freedom Day lecture organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Zone B, Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari stated this at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

Senator Buhari explained that such guidelines should be regularly reviewed and updated to keep pace with technological advancements.

In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Professor Rasaq Kalilu said, Journalists should inculcate AI into their work, but should ensure not to navigate it alone.

Professor Kalilu noted that newsrooms should use AI as a tool and not as a replacement for human intelligence.

He advised the government and stakeholders to ensure that press freedom was protected and never undermined, even in a repressive environment.

Earlier, the Vice President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zone B, Mrs Ronke Samo, urged Journalists to always apply the tenets of the profession while discharging their duties, particularly by ensuring accuracy, truth, and objectivity before disseminating any information to the public.

She commended the guest speaker for his support of the profession and journalists in the zone.  

The highlight of the event was the conferment of the International Guillermo Cano Media Award on the guest speaker, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari. 

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.

Communication

Hold Government Accountable, Sowumi Tells Journalists

By Web News 366

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

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.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Communication

Prebunking: Leveraging Strategies to Preserving Truth in Media

By Web News 803

By Olaolu Fawole

With the advancement of technologies including Artificial Intelligence, AI, digital platforms are now flooded with misinformation in different forms.

To combat the spread of false narratives, the concept of prebunking emerged, which is to serve as a proactive strategy in the fight against fake news on both traditional and social media.

What is “Prebunking”.

Prebunking is a term from “preemptive debunking”, which means focusing on prevention rather than reactive mitigation. It involves effectively fortifying the public against deceptive narratives. Also, prebunking is an approach that shields media content consumers from the influence of false information, by providing accurate information ahead of time.

A key component of prebunking strategies is proactive communication and education campaign. This component preemptively debunk misinformation from identified potential sources of misinformation by disseminating accurate information.

Engaging media content users through various channels such as social media platforms and through traditional media as well as community outreach programmes, would make prebunking process more impactful among the heterogeneous audience and ensure a culture of critical thinking and media literacy.

Nevertheless, prebunking strategies in  preserving the truth in media have many potential benefits, which are significant. These include mitigating the impact of misinformation on public discourse, strengthening the resilience of democratic societies and promoting informed decision-making.

However, there are some challenges surrounding prebunking. Identifying and preemptively debunking misinformation before it goes viral requires time and a robust fact-checking process. Also, addressing echo chambers and confirmation bias, which can been classified as drivers of misinformation  requires a detailed and subtle comprehension of how people think, feel, and behave, as well as the underlying psychological factors that influence their actions.

Moreover, collaboration among journalists, media organisations, fact-checking organisations, government agencies, educational institutions and civil society organisations can amplify the impact of prebunking mechanisms and counter spread of misinformation.

All stakeholders must embrace the various innovative approaches such as prebunking to counter misinformation through proactive communication, education and partnership, so as to build a more dependable information ecosystem.

Communication

Government media outfits should set the pace in broadcasting – OSHA

By Web News 446

By Mojisola Oladele

Osun State House of Assembly has emphasized the need public media stations to improve its mode of operations.

The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Adekunle Oladimeji made the call during its maiden meeting with the Management team from Osun State Broadcasting Corporation , OSBC, at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo. 

Mr. Oladimeji explained that government owned media outfit was expected to set the pace amidst of other media outlets in the state, hence the need to exhibit efficiency with the available resources. 

While stressing the importance for all to contribute their quota to the development of the State and the Nation at Large, Mr. Oladimeji task the media to embrace balance, effective and efficient journalistic practice. 

Also his contributions, member representing Olorunda State Constituency, Mr. Olaide Ajibola expressed the readiness of the Committee to cooperate with the station to achieve a remarkable face lift.

Mr. Ajibola urged the station to promote local sports activities which would go a long way in identifying and promoting indigenous young sport talents. 

In his words, the Permanent Secretary, OSBC, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Folaranmi highlighted the challenges hindering smooth running of the station to the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs.

Alhaji Folaranmi appreciated the House for the opportunity and reiterated OSBC’s commitment towards promoting the State Government’s Programmes and Polices. 

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Communication

Be Discreet with Security Reportage, NBC Charges Media

By Web News 536

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Malam Balarabe Illela has called on broadcasters to be cautious when airing national security issues.

Malam Illela stated this during a one day meeting with the State Commissioner of Information and Chief Executive Officers of Broadcast Stations in Nigeria held in Kano.

He said the commission was disturbed by the rate at which many broadcast stations were indebted to the commission in terms of payments and renewal of their licenses.

Malam Illela appealed to broadcasting stations to ensure timely payment of the license fees that are geared towards achieving the stated objectives.

He gave those broadcasting stations that were yet to settle their license fees until September 9, 2023, to do so or have their license revoked.

“Any Broadcasting station that have already has a provisional license but is unable to use it for the duration of two years is automatically revoked,” he added.

Highlights of the event include discussions and suggestions on how to move the broadcasting industry forward.

FRCN Abuja/Taiwo Akinola

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group