… Asked to develope new business models for sustainability of media operations in Nigeria in the post COVID-19 era.
Communique issued after a 2-day media master class for journalists in Kogi and Nasarawa states organised by ActionAid Nigeria on the 3rd and 4th of March 2021 at Kini Country-Inn Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on Policy Engagement for Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) during and post COVID-19 in pursuance of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalization to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) Project.
Following exhaustive training and active engagement, participants resolved that journalists and media professionals should:
1. Douse rather than escalate conflicts in their reportage to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism as journalist should serve as agents of positive change in their reportage towards promoting peace and harmonious relations in the communities.
2. Exhibit tolerance, accommodate and humanise their stories to prevent violent extremism by being conflict sensitive in their reportage and fair to all parties in conflict to prevent the cycle of violence.
3. Uphold journalism ethics by ensuring that their reportage is accurate and balanced while taking responsibility for their reportage as they are charged to deploy their professional skills and competencies to effect positive change towards promoting a peaceful and harmonious society.
4. Collaborate with government and relevant agencies towards influencing policies that could promote and reduce radicalisation to violent extremism by setting agenda for peace and development in the society through expose to budget defects towards making budgetary processes more transparent and accountable.
5. Anchor their reportage in budget analysis to address disposing factors to radicalisation and violent extremism while monitoring the impact of their reportage on issues that are related to the prevention of radicalisation to violent extremism.
6. Pay attention to the needs of women, children, and youths in reports on budgetary allocation to address issues in that sector that drive radicalisation to violent extremism while advocating for citizens active participation in the budgetary processes to promote inclusiveness.
7. Take safety precautions in the newsroom and on the field while reporting in the post COVID-19 era by employing the necessary measures, techniques, and strategies in reporting in the post COVID-19 era.
8. The Federal Government should establish operational protocols for journalists covering the COVID- 19 pandemic while requesting the Federal Government through the CBN to make one-digit loans available to media houses post COVID- 19 and lower tariffs for media consumables, which are largely imported.
9. Media owners and media managers should adapt their content to the current COVID-19 realities by developing new business models for the sustainability of media operations in Nigeria in the post COVID-19 era.