L-R) Boye Salau of The Tide group of newspapers, Mrs Ann Godwin of The Guardian, and Ignatius Chukwu of BusinessDay, Resource Persons at the day 2 of Press Week of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ.
* Wrong headlines attract the greatest number of libel suits to media houses
*To remain relevant, Journalists must embark on development
*Rivers Govt. pledges robust media relations, as experts harp on the watchdog role.
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Journalists have been enjoined to imbibe the culture of training and re-training themselves for self-development so that they can remain relevant in evolution of the social media.
Stanley Job Stanley, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, advised on the second day of the Union’s press week in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the topic “Casting News Headlines”, Mr Ignatius Chukwu, the Regional Manager of Business Day, said a Reporter should understand that good news headlines are supposed to be brief, with finite verbs capable of provoking curiosity and attracting the attention of the readers.
However, he warned that most libel suits slammed against media houses by aggrieved persons or corporate organizations are traceable to wrong and sensational headlines.
Chukwu cautioned against sensational headlines with the sole intent to deceive the readers, listeners or viewers.
On her part, Mrs Ann Godwin, Bureau Chief of The Guardian newspaper, who handled the topic ‘Blogging and Content Creation For Journalists’ said in the evolution of Social Media, today journalists must explore the abundant opportunities available to seek career advancement and make extra money.
Mrs Godwin who is a multiple award winner including the Wole Soyinka Award For Investigative Journalism said that Social Media should no longer be used as mere social interactions but for Content Creation that attracts funds.
“With the advancement of the internet and evolution of social media, employment of Journalists in the newsroom has continued to decline. And the future Journalist should be an all-rounder, inquisitive and can create good stories that attract leadership both locally and internationally.”
She said a Content Creator or Content Manager should have the knack to think outside the box and write readable.
She listed various Social handles that can be explored by Journalists. They are LinkedIn, and Twitter(×), which are more for exposing individuals to intellectual spaces.
On this score, she advised a Content Creator to locate his target audience and go for the content he is knowledgeable and be consistent.
Mrs Godwin also advised a Content Creator and Blogger to “avoid lengthy posts, grammatical errors. He should intentionally post his contents at rush hour when the targeted audience is likely to read or watch them”.
Mr Boye Salau, who is a member of the Editorial Board of Rivers Government group of newspapers, The Tide Newspaper who spoke on ‘Ethical Reporting’ advised Journalists to painstakingly insist on facts, hear from all sides and verify them before rushing to compile reports.
Salau warned that a Reporter who refuses to stick to the ethics of news writing easily q loses public trust and the organization he works.
He cautioned that sensitive stories should be handled with uttermost care in order not to plunge society into chaos by the deliberate practice of Yellow and Junk Journalism, which prioritizes profits above the overall good of society.
Salau warned Journalists against bowing to pressure from Social Media Influencers who churn out fake news and do not fact-check before publishing.
“As Journalists, we must insist on adhering to the time-tested ethnical standards by sticking to facts and balanced reporting. This is because, at the end of the day, society will rely on where the facts and the truths are to make the opinion and judgement, not intentional sensationalism”.
(Left to Right) Stanley Job Stanley, Chairman Rivers NUJ Council,Comrade Opaka Dokubo,Deputy National President of NUJ Zone F, Joseph Johnson, Commissioner for Information and Communications,Dr. William Wodi,former Spokesman UNIPORT.
*Rivers Govt. pledges robust media relations, as experts harp on the watchdog role.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara has pledged robust relations with the media as a way to boost governance in the state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) 2024 Press Week through Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Governor said the press is crucial for effective governance and delivery of democratic dividends.
He reiterated that his administration sees the media as key partners to transform and mobilise the citizenry for a better polity.
Sir. Fubara observed that though the media promotes the freedom and rights of citizens, stresses the need for responsible journalism to sustain the country’s fledgling democracy.
In his words,” You have to put Rivers State ahead in your agenda” and added that,” your topic of discussion brings together experts to brainstorm for the wellbeing of the society.”
He also enjoined that the workshop on the training of journalists on Casting Headlines, News Editing, Content Creation and Blogging” should be used to advance professionalism in an era of social media proliferation.
On her part, the Chairman of the occasion, Dame Ibim Semenitari said the theme of the press week:” Media and Sustenance of Democracy: A New Paradigm Shift” is apt with current challenges facing the nation.
Semenitari, former State Commissioner for Information and Communications recalled that the media played a huge role in the return of democracy in Nigeria, and therefore should preserve and sustain it through ethical and responsible journalism.
In her words, ” we must work against the proliferation of fake news, and quackery and must not shy away from the key responsibility of investigative journalism.”
Worried over current trends, Semenitari cautioned journalists to be alert in their watchdog role.
Earlier, Royal Father of the day, Eze Ejike Wali traditional head of the Mgbuesularu community hailed the NUJ for reviving its press week activities after many years.
Represented by Chief Vincent Nwanwa, the Mgbuesularu monarch stressed the need for synergy between the NUJ and the state government as a path to good governance and development.
Deputy National President of NUJ Zone F, Comrade Opaka Dokubo said one of the benefits of the press week is to create camaraderie among media practitioners.
Dokubo thanked the Rivers State governor for support to the media, as against the past administration.
The NUJ national president said the posture of Fubara’s administration promises a better future for the media and governance.
In his address, State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley said the celebrations provide time for stocktaking and review of activities of media practitioners across the state.
While appreciating the state government for its support of this year’s event, the Rivers State NUJ Chairman made a plea for more support, especially for the renovation of the secretariat and other facilities needed for the effective operations of journalists in the state.
Speaking on the theme of the press week,” Media and Sustenance of Democracy: A New Paradigm Shift” Dr. Williams Wodi said the role of the media has continued to evolve globally with current economic realities.Dr Wodi, a former Head of the Public Relations Unit at the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT opined that this evolving media climate challenges journalists to ensure that democracy is sustained across different climes.
The media expert averred that journalists need to be alive to their social responsibility, and at the same maintain their role to champion the rights of the common people.
He opined that the position of the media as the fourth estate of the realm can only be strengthened when checks on leadership are sustained in such a manner to drive equity and economic power.
The paradigm shift in the view of Dr Wodi can only be achieved when there is a balance between the leaders and those led, and this he maintained can be achieved by a virile media.