…. Seeks Release of Detained Journalists
NGE President, Isah at the Conference
In the wake of the palpable distress in the Nigeria’s media industry and its attendant consequences on the government and the Nigerian society, members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors gathered in Sokoto, the Sokoto state capital for five days, from November 27 to December 1, 2019, to deliberate on the theme: A Distressed Media: Impact on Government, Governance and the Society.
It was a high profile gathering, which had the entire cabinet of the Sokoto State government in attendance.
The state’s Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, declared the event open.
At the end of the conference, chaired by the former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the Editors drew up a communiqué, signed by Mustapha Isa, President and Mary Atolagbe, General Secretary:
1.Expressed concern over the proposed fake news and hate speech bills and drew the attention of both the National Assembly and the Federal Government to the fact that draconian legislations have no place in Nigeria’s democracy.
2. Noted that Nigeria’s dwindling economic fortune has contributed to the distress in the media industry and there is need for the government to overhaul the economic architecture of the country, which will further provide avenue for the economy to gain its ground amidst dwindling resources.
3. Canvassed the need for diversification, improved funding, collaboration, specialised journalism education programmes, newsroom re-engineering among other innovations necessary for generation of more revenues.
4. Emphasised the need for serious capital injection to overcome under capitalization.
5. Identified ownership interference as a key factor militating against free operation of the media and therefore advised owners of both public and private media organizations to pay more attention to facilitating the smooth operations of the media as truly business outfits.
6.Condemned all dictatorial tendencies against the media and stressed the need to collectively fight against all media abuses by non professionals; and frowned at all attempts to punish conventional media for the wrongs of non professionals on the social media platforms.
7. Called for the release of all detained journalists across the country, stating that democracy thrives better in countries that cherish and promote media freedom.
8. Commended the government and good people of Sokoto State for the rapid growth and acceleration of infrastructure development across the state as well as the widespread human capital development programmes of the state government in the areas of free education and medical scheme for indigent citizens regardless of their origin.
9. Proposed to set up a committee to prepare for the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and come up with a compendium to showcase its activities since inception.
10.Ratified the election of Mustapha Isa as the substantive President of the Guild following the appointment of Mrs Funke Egbemode as a Commissioner in Osun State.
11. Expressed its appreciation to the Governor of Sokoto for his presence and support given to the Guild for a successful conference
