Nigeria: Media Teams Strategise On Implementation of Self-Regulation Platform for Journalists

The proposed Ombudsman system can even assist to stave off authorities’s stifling regulatory strikes and assault on free press.

Main media organisations in Nigeria have mapped out a method on how you can implement a self-regulatory mechanism to examine moral {and professional} breaches by journalists.

The proposed Ombudsman system can even assist to stave off authorities’s stifling regulatory strikes and assault on the media.

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Affiliation of Nigeria (NPAN) along with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Company On-line Publishers (GOCOP), made the advice after a roundtable on 14 November in Lagos.

In a communique issued on Friday, the organisations stated the assembly was held in response to “the problem of institutionalising self-regulatory mechanisms by the media for the media.”

The communique was signed by Kabiru Yusuf, President of NPAN; Mustapha Isah, President of NGE; Chris Isiguzo, President of NUJ, Maureen Chigbo, President GOCOP and Yemisi Bamghose, Govt Secretary, BON.

It expressed issues over the federal government’s laws to stifle “press freedom and media independence.”

In June 2021, the Nigerian authorities banned the usage of Twitter after a number of failed efforts by means of parliament to manage the social media area.

There additionally payments pending on the Nationwide Meeting geared toward serving to the federal government to tighten its grip on the media and stifle press freedom and civic actions.

“The goal of the roundtable, supported by Daria Media and the MacArthur Basis, was to acquire media stakeholders’ buy-in of the Ombudsman framework and the revised Code of Ethics of Journalists in Nigeria.”

The Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO) comprising the NPAN, NGE and NUJ, was tasked with the event of a framework that promotes “workable and trusted self-regulatory platform for the {industry}.”

It additionally famous that the revision of the Code of Ethics for Nigerian journalists was resulting from observations that the present 1998 code is “outdated, not sturdy sufficient, (and) too common in nature.”

Resolutions

To make sure the ombudsman involves fruition, the stakeholders warned in opposition to bureaucratic buildings that may impede its environment friendly operation.

It resolved that sanctions for violation of moral codes can be decided by the ombudsman consistent with the laws.

Following widespread lack of normal remuneration of journalists in Nigeria, the stakeholders instructed “a invoice of rights can be included into the revised code to handle issues over some {industry} practices which have the tendency to undermine the welfare and security of journalists.”

It added that the revised code would “shield investigative journalism by making the general public curiosity exception to cases the place undercover strategies could also be used to acquire info.”

“That the revised code shall distinguish between paid content material and editorial content material to protect editorial integrity; and

“A brand new clause can be inserted to obligate journalists to advertise the proper of the individuals to know, freedom of the press and accountability.”

Attendance

The roundtable was nicely attended by eminent media-industry leaders together with a former Ogun State governor and former editor, Olusegun Osoba. Mr Osoba, can also be a Life Patron of NPAN,

The attendees additionally included, Sam Amuka-Pemu, Writer of Vanguard Newspapers; LadMaiden

Alex- Ibru, Writer of The Guardian; Ray Ekpu, FNGE, former President of NPAN//Council member; and Nduka Obaigbena, former president of NPAN/Life Patron and Writer, ThisDay Newspapers /proprietor ARISE TV.

In addition they embrace Dennis Sami, NPAN Council member and Writer of The Nigerian Pilot, Angela Emuwa, Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Lade Bonuola, former Managing Director of The Guardian, Ralph Akinfeleye, a professor on the College of Lagos; and Ted Iwere.

The Govt Secretary of the Nigeria Press Council,Francis Nwosu, delivered the goodwill message of the Minister of Info and Tradition, Lai Mohammed.