Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has emphasised the importance of maintaining the fundamental principles of journalism.
Speaking over the weekend in Jalingo at the 2024 News Summit organized by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), he stressed that truth, accuracy, and fairness must continue to guide journalistic efforts.
The governor, who made the call through his deputy, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, also highlighted the need for innovation and adaptation, urging media professionals to explore new methods of engaging with their audiences.
The summit, which centered on the theme “News Production in a Transitional Media Landscape,” as noted by the governor, “comes at a pivotal time in our nation’s history.”
“As we navigate an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting audience expectations, and evolving journalistic practices, the role of news production has never been more crucial. We are called not only to reflect on these changes but also to embrace the opportunities they present,” Kefas stated.
The governor, who observed that the media landscape in operation is vastly different from what it was just a decade ago, said the rise of digital platforms has redefined how news is gathered, reported, and consumed.
Traditional boundaries, according to him, “have blurred, and with that, the responsibilities of news producers have expanded.”
“The news we produce today will shape the narratives of tomorrow, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that these narratives are truthful, balanced, and reflective of our shared values.”
Earlier, the Director General of the FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama, said FRCN, under his leadership, will work relentlessly round the clock to reposition the organization.
“During my speech the day I took over office, I promised a relentless pursuit of the repositioning of the FRCN by improving its content and deploying cutting-edge technology in its operations, as well as training and retraining the rich and talented human capital resources within the corporation, all targeted at making Radio Nigeria the most preferred radio not only in the country but within the continent.”
“Our duty as news producers of a public broadcaster like Radio Nigeria is not merely to be fast, but to be precise, responsible, credible, and ethical in our reporting,” he stated.
The summit, as observed by our reporter, brought the leadership of the FRCN, Voice of Nigeria (VON), broadcasters, and others from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to Jalingo, the state capital.