Media Professionals have said that plans to regulate the media by the Nigerian Government is aimed at stifling opposing voices and refraining the media from carrying outs its responsibility of serving as watchdog and holding the government accountable.
The media professionals shared their thoughts during an online dialogue organized by SiidAfrica Initiatives for Youth Development, with the theme, “Role of Media in Nation Building”.
Speaking during the panel session, Taiwo Adebulu, Head of Fact-Check Desk, TheCable, believed that the proposed policies and regulations of the media are not in the interest of the public and stressed that the government should create an enabling environment for the media to do its work effectively.
Adebulu, who noted that he is not against media regulation in Nigeria, buttressed that, “what we’re experiencing in Nigeria is not media regulation but attempts to kill the media.”
Speaking on how fake news has hampered the efforts of the media to play its role of nation building, Adebulu mentioned that, “people who spread fake news are feeding on people’s biases”.
He also stressed that many media outfits are waxing strong and have refused to be used as vehicle to convey misinformation.
“In a bid to survive, we’re compromising our standards but some media organizations are working hard to remain impartial,” Adebulu added.
Another member of the panel, Loiusa Olaniyi Head of Presentation, RaveTV, stated that some media houses have been performing well while some have been partisan and finding it difficult to speak truth to power.
Olaniyi explained that many media houses have been partisan because of fear of being fined, but noted that, it is imperative that media stands firm at all times.
She urged the media to reposition itself strategically by ensuring professionalism at all times.
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Timipere Allison, Head of Programme, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) while giving a presentation on the State of the Nation and the Nigeria Media raised concerns over the increasing attacks on journalists and media agencies in recent times.
Allison advised that media organizations should challenge some of the policies and regulations that limits their performance in court.
Earlier while giving his opening remarks, Olamilekan Lawal, Team Lead for SiidAfrica Initiative for Youth Development, made it known that the monthly Africa Reformers Dialogue is in line with the implementation of a 5 years project (2021 – 2025) titled The Africa Reformers Movement in Lagos as its pilot state of implementation.
He stated that, “the objective of the project is to build community of young change makers for development and leadership through commitments and collaborations.
“Africa Reformers Dialogue is with the intention of engaging opinion leaders to share their views, experience and knowledge on major issues as they relate to fostering growth and development in communities, Nigeria as a country and Africa at large.”
The July edition of the dialogue was moderated by Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher, BONews Service.