The Institute of Media and Society has launched publications on the broadcasting regulatory framework in Nigeria, to serve as tools of engagement in the broadcast media reform process in the country.
Launching the publications during a Media Stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, under its EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Project, IMS released public enlightenment series 1-6, which were produced between September 2021 – February 2022, and the Memorandum on the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, the Executive Director of IMS explained that the publications are “part of our works to strengthen media regulators to be able to perform their roles. We will get them across to industry stakeholders and use them as tools for advocacy for reforms in the broadcast sector.”
Speaking about the project which is reaching its end, Dr. Akingbulu shared that the project has helped to “enhance media professionalism, promote the participation of marginalized persons in the electoral process and improved the engagement of the media to promote inclusion as it relates to gender, disability, and youths.”
Advocating for an increase in mainstreaming disability-inclusion in media reportage, David Anyaele, the Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, appealed that media professionals should be more deliberate about the reportage and coverage of persons with disabilities, especially in the electoral process.
Anyaele who was represented by Ms. Florence Attah, Programmes Officer, CCD, mentioned that it is important for media professionals to understand the laws that promote the issues of disability, stressing that, “you cannot represent an issue if you do not have adequate knowledge of it.”
Prof. Abigael Ogwezzy while delivering a presentation on Women’s Participation in the Electoral Process, shared the gender gaps that have existed since 1999.
She noted that political parties, media, and relevant stakeholders need to address the biases that limit women from effectively participating in the electoral process in Nigeria.