A 14-point resolution and recommendation have been made to enhance the capacity of the media to promote democracy, peace and development in the country.
Participants at the 8th conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Port-Harcourt made the recommendations according to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr Lanre Arogundade.
The communique was signed by the General Secretary of ACSPN and Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Professor Nosa Owens- Ibie.
Below are the recommendations.:
Media organisations should explore new business models to address the challenges of funding;
- Journalists should advocate for media development funds that should support media organisations;
- Journalists should advocate for bailout support for the media as is the case with other sectors, especially in difficult times, such as the pandemic or recession;
- Media organisations should collaborate and engage stakeholders for necessary support;
- Citizens need to go back to the value system and own up and not blame the government for every societal problem;
- Media literacy should be encouraged and funded by the government and other funding bodies to ensure that citizens understand ways to engage the media more appropriately;
- Journalists should uphold and promote professional ethics to ensure adherence and credibility in the media;
- Women should be more proactive in engaging with the media by exploring available avenues, such as media phone-in programmes, new media platforms, films, among others, to tell their stories;
- Media organisations should focus on training and retraining of journalists to enable them to update skills and knowledge on current issues;
- Journalists’ safety should be taken more seriously by media organisations which should ensure robust insurance schemes and hazard provisions for journalists;
- Media organisations should ensure that the welfare of journalists is taken seriously to ensure that they effectively carry out their roles without compromise;
- Media should constantly remind citizens of their obligation to uphold societal values;
- Journalists should fully harness the benefits of the Freedom of Information Act to hold the government accountable;
- Media organisations should ensure easy access to the media for their audience, to enhance their participation in governance through the media.