The Federal Government has been asked to through the Central Bank create a single digit loan package to support media Organisations as a way of cushioning the effect of the covid19 pandemic.
The appeal to assist Media Houses was part of the recommendations of a Research Conducted by ActionAid on the impact of Covid19 on Media Operations: A Findings of Research Commissioned by ActionAid, urged the Federal Government to also lower tariffs on Media consumables which are largely imported.
Peace Eneja, Communication Officer AAN,
made the presentation at a Media Masterclass: Policy Engagement for Preventing Violent Extremism During and Post Covid19 in Kogi and Nasarawa State organized for Media Practitioners and Journalists holding at Akwanga, Nasarawa State with funding by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
The research also recommended tax holidays for Media Houses equally advised the government to build a solid economy that guarantees growth and investment for the media industry post Covid19.
The recommendations of the research equally asked media houses to post Covid19, create a stronger virtual presence than they do now as that would enable them attract more beats online, sale their contents and attract more advertisement.
While the research described Covid19 as a new normal for Journalists and the media industry in Nigeria, said the need for a new policy framework to address the emerging trend by Media Houses has now become necessary.
Part of the research findings includes that: Covid19 has affected news gathering, patronage, purchasing power, few press conferences, the need for media Practitioners and Journalists to acquire online skills to become apt in the present circumstances.
The Media Masterclass: Policy Engagement for Preventing Violent Extremism During and Post Covid19 in Kogi and Nasarawa State organized for Media Practitioners and Journalists is part of the “System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) Project in Kogi and Nasarawa State.