The need for financial independence of Journalists and Media Houses have been stressed.
Broadcast Media expert, Ms. Anikeade Funke-Treasure stressed this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while facilitating a one day capacity building for local Journalists on impactful reporting of grassroots development issues and safety consciousness organized by the International Press Centre (IPC).
According to her, Media Houses should have a strong capital base that would make them financially viable to pay their staff or reporters.
Ms Funke-Treasure observed that most Journalists are unable to perform their role to the society owing to the financial problem they face in the cause of their duty.
She emphasized the need to pay Journalists decent wages, adding that poorly paid Journalists are already vulnerable and manipulative.
Also delivering a paper on the role of the media in making government accountable to the grassroots, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists in Ondo State, Prince Leke Adegbite, encouraged the participants to use tools like the freedom of information act (FOIA) to get information from government officials.
Adegbite added that with proper media framing, the government will accede to the wishes of the public as reported in the media.
The major highpoint of the event is the unveiling of IPC’s publication, “Resource Guide on Impactful Reporting of Grassroots Development Issues & Safety Conscious Journalism,” as well as distribution of same to all participants.
Earlier, the Programme Officer of IPC, Melody Akinjiyan, said the capacity building is targeted at Journalists who are particular about development communication.
Akinjiyan disclosed that the IPC would like to see how Journalists at the training, are adding value to development communication in the next few months.
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