NCC charges ICT Journalists to transform their styles of reporting the industry

Kindly Share This Story:

Executive Vice Chairman,  the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah

From Benjamin a ameh, Lagos,

Informed analysis designed to create a deeper understanding of issues among the stakeholders

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah said this during the opening of two-day capacity building workshop for ICT Editors/Correspondents organized by the Commission on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Lagos,

The Executive Vice Chairman who made remarks at day one of two day events was represented by the Director, Public Affairs; mr Tony Ojobo of the Commission, disclosed that by way of observation, we have noticed that most journalists covering the telecommunications industry basically report news and developments. We hardly see lots of informed analysis designed to create a deeper understanding of issues among the stakeholders adding that sometimes when issues arise in the industry, what we see in the media are comments or opinions by individuals and public commentators who are not well informed about the industry.

Dr juwah further stated that such dominance of the media space by uninformed commentators gives us cause for concern, therefore we reason that perhaps, those responsible [ICT journalists]for day to day coverage of the industry may not professionally equipped to embark on such level of engagement to separate facts from fictions. “It is said that facts are sacred, and opinions are free. When those who should have the facts are silent, and allow those without facts to dominate the discourse, it faults the foundation of this maxim.

“Its for this reason that we invite the professionals covering this industry to look beyond reporting the news and engage in critical and factual analysis of developments for the benefit of the stakeholders and the general public.

“Perhaps, this type of workshop would assist in bridging whatever gap may have existed to create this vacuum. This is why we have carefully assembled resource persons who are very knowledgeable in the various technical areas of the industry for the purpose of this workshop.”

EVC noted that this capacity building programme of the Commission, designed for a constituency which we consider a very important partner in the telecommunications regulatory process of our nation.

“As a matter of fact, we believe that a well informed individual or society would achieve a faster growth in all facets of human and economic development than an uninformed individual or society. This is why we have invested in an institution like the Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, whose impact in building professional capacities in all areas of the industry, has become manifest.

Dr Juwah pointed out that in the case of media practitioners, you may be aware that the Commission has identified the media as one of the first five in our lineup of the major stakeholders in the telecommunications industry. This is because the media provides the bridge through which the Commission reaches its various audiences and targets.

“It is for this reason that the Commission believes that a well informed media is an asset to the nation as the major task of creating awareness about products, services, issues, challenges, benefits, processes, and usage potentials, would be simplified to the benefit of all.”

We are also aware that out industry is not only technical, but is also sophisticated and dynamic with developments and innovations becoming a recurring decimal. This is why it is imperative that the men of the pSen who are responsible for simplifying these situations to the general public are also informed and equipped intellectually and professionally to educate the public, he stressed.


Kindly Share This Story:

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

amehnews greetings

x
%d bloggers like this: