Power Of The Media: IPC, CEMESO Task Executives On Responsibility
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The media has long been the pulse of democracy informing, educating, and holding power to account.
In Abuja, strategic conversations are heating up around how journalists can do just that and do it better.
At a high-level engagement with media leaders, key players say it’s time to step up the game.
From voter education to election debates, the media’s role in democracy is non-negotiable. But how well are Nigerian journalists doing, especially when the stakes are high?
That question was front and centre as the International Press Centre, in conjunction with Centre for Media and Society, convened a strategic meeting in Abuja backed by the European Union’s support to democratic governance in Nigeria, EU-SDGN 2
Addressing the meeting made up of broadcast, print and online media executives, Lanre Arogundade, said the project’s focus spans six key areas from curbing electoral disinformation to amplifying voices of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
He said two years on, a thorough evaluation shows progress but also points to serious gaps which the meeting hopes to address.
The Director, Centre for Media and Society, Dr Akin Akingbulu, echoed the concerns calling for structural reforms and stronger editorial independence, particularly for public broadcasters.
Facilitators at the breakout sessions, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose and Mr. Martins Oloja were emphatic in their belief that that all stakeholders in the media industry must be intentionally committed to changing the narratives.
Participants on their parts, were full of praises for the conveners of the programme as it reminded them not to relent in playing their roles as role models.
