TheNewsGuru

Tag: MEDIA

  • CJID launches Openness Index report, unveils media sustainability fund

    CJID launches Openness Index report, unveils media sustainability fund

    The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has launched its groundbreaking Openness Index report, a tool designed to assess the degree of transparency, civic participation, and institutional accountability across Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the CJID Openness Index report was launched during a high-level event held in Abuja, bringing together policymakers, journalists, civil society actors, and development partners.

    In his welcome address, CJID’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, described the Openness Index as “more than a set of metrics.” Rather, he said, it is “a mirror held up to our institutions, our governance, our civil space, and to ourselves”.

    Olorunyomi emphasised that the Index is a call to action in a time of rising repression, shrinking civic spaces, and digital authoritarianism. “Openness is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he stated, adding “Democracy without transparency is a hollow shell.”

    The Index, developed in partnership with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and funded by the Government of the Netherlands through its Embassy in Abuja, provides a data-driven framework to evaluate how open Nigeria’s subnational and national institutions are.

    It measures factors such as access to information, citizen engagement, media freedom, and government responsiveness.

    “This tool allows us to benchmark progress, diagnose weaknesses, and celebrate strengths,” said Olorunyomi. “But no index alone can safeguard democracy. Only people can — citizens who take the findings and turn them into advocacy, reform, vigilance, and action”.

    During the launch, in a significant announcement, Olorunyomi also introduced CJID’s new Local Media Sustainability Fund, an initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots journalism and enhancing media coverage of local governance and civic issues.

    “Our research has shown that the most consequential stories are unfolding at the local level — in state capitals, remote towns, and underserved communities,” he said. “Yet, this is where media capacity is weakest and sustainability most fragile.”

    The Fund will serve as a catalytic intervention to support local newsrooms, content creators, and accountability journalists with financial aid, capacity building, and innovative revenue models. According to the CJID boss, the goal is to ensure that local voices are not only heard but also protected.

    “We believe this initiative could mark the beginning of a new era — one where journalism flourishes beyond urban centres, and where democracy deepens because information flows more equitably,” he added.

    TNG reports that the event convened a wide cross-section of Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem, ranging from public officials and development experts to researchers, journalists, and citizens.

    Olorunyomi highlighted the importance of this diverse participation, noting that while roles may differ, the shared mission of promoting fundamental freedoms unites all attendees.

    “As the custodians of liberty and freedom, we must become a band of conscious protectors — guardians of the norms and institutions that keep democracy vibrant and development sustainable,” he charged the audience.

    He concluded his address by extending gratitude to the CJID board, research team led by Professor Ismail Ibraheem, and the centre’s staff, describing them as “unarguably the best in this game.”

    The launch of the Openness Index and the announcement of the Local Media Sustainability Fund mark a major step in CJID’s ongoing effort to foster transparency, support independent media, and defend democratic values in Nigeria and across West Africa.

    Dutch Envoy commends CJID’s efforts to promote press freedom‎

    Meanwhile, the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Bengt Loosdrecht, in a goodwill message at the launch of the CJID Openness Index report, commended CJID for its efforts to promote press freedom and uphold quality standards for journalists.

    ‎‎The Ambassador noted that CJID’s work is crucial in a time when democratic freedoms are under threat and journalists face increasing restrictions, legal threats, and digital surveillance.

    He cited examples of journalists being imprisoned and intimidated worldwide, including in his home country, the Netherlands, where politicians have been known to vilify journalists.*

    ‎‎Loosdrecht emphasised the importance of a free and independent press in any democracy, noting that reliable journalism is facing real threats.

    He highlighted the decline in press freedom globally, citing the example of Nigeria’s recent slide in the World Press Freedom Index.

    However, he expressed optimism that initiatives like the CJID Openness Index Report can guide smarter policy and meaningful reforms.*

    ‎The Ambassador praised CJID’s efforts to promote quality journalism and support journalists in Nigeria, while noting that the country’s diversity and complexity require a nuanced understanding, and the Openness Index report provides a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders.

    ‎The launch of the CJID Openness Index Report is a significant milestone in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

    With the support of partners like the Dutch Embassy, CJID’s initiative has the potential to make a lasting impact on the country’s democratic landscape.

    The report’s findings and recommendations are expected to inform policy and advocacy efforts, promoting a more open and democratic society.

  • Avoid sensationalism in contributing to nation-building, Speaker Abbas advises the media

    Avoid sensationalism in contributing to nation-building, Speaker Abbas advises the media

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has advised the Nigerian media to be objective and avoid sensationalism in its efforts to contribute to nation-building.

    Emphasising the role of the media in shaping national discourse and holding the government accountable, Speaker Abbas urged the Nigerian media to remain focused and uphold journalistic ethics in its operations.

    Speaker Abbas spoke when he hosted the management of the Media Trust Group, the publishers of the Daily Trust titles, during a courtesy call in his office at the National Assembly on Thursday. The delegation was led by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Media Trust, Malam Ahmed Shekarau.

    “Try to invest more in objectivity; try to invest more in professionalism; short-term gains don’t make an organisation last. It is truth and transparency that will make you last forever,” the Speaker said.

    The Speaker noted that the House was ready to welcome constructive criticism at all times, stressing that it is part of a healthy democracy and governance.

    Thus, he charged the Nigerian media to encourage responsible and professional reporting that would point out challenges, offer solutions, and ensure balance.

    Since the inauguration of the 10th House on June 13, 2023, the Speaker said, the Green Chamber has been operating an open-door policy, which encourages transparency and accountability for the lawmakers.

    He said some legislative priorities of the 10th House included poverty alleviation, law reform, security, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, and education, among others.

    Speaker Abbas said the House recently unveiled its one-year scorecard, which highlighted the modest achievements it recorded in 12 months.

    “The 10th Assembly is an open Assembly. We want to showcase our openness to the public to show what we do, generate opinions, and seek advice on what we’re doing. We don’t do anything in secrecy. We would like to emphasize our intention to make the National Assembly truly the people’s parliament.

    “We wish to see how Daily Trust, as an objective newspaper, can support that aspiration. The aspiration we are looking at is nothing other than objective reporting and transparency, which, today in Nigeria, has become something of great concern.”

    The Speaker expressed appreciation for the Daily Trust’s visit and commended it for its longstanding contributions to responsible journalism and the development of Nigerian democracy.

    He sought the understanding of the media to partner with the House, by extension the National Assembly, in promoting Nigeria’s democracy.

    Earlier, the GCEO of the Media Trust Group, Malam Shekarau, congratulated the Speaker for steering the affairs of the House peacefully in the past 16 months.

    He also noted with delight the recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to confer the Speaker with the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), which he said was a welcome development.

    The GCEO said the purpose of the visit was to request a media partnership with the House of Representatives, especially through its Trust TV, as well as request the Speaker to grace its annual Daily Trust Dialogue, scheduled for January 2025, as special guest of honour.

    The Media Trust delegation comprised the GCEO; the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Trust TV, Ibrahim Shehu Adamu; the AGM, Special Projects, Abdullahi Mainasara; Head, Business Development, Haroun Saeed Malami; General Editor, Stella Iyaji; Politics Editor, Clement Oloyede, among others.

  • Global Microsoft outage hits airlines, banks and media

    Global Microsoft outage hits airlines, banks and media

    Businesses including banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, TV and radio broadcasters, and supermarkets have been taken offline after blue screen of death error screens were seen on Windows workstations across the globe.

    Users on the subreddit for cyber security firm Crowdstrike reported issues in India, the United States and New Zealand.

    Major US Airlines Ground All Flights Over ‘Communication Issue’: FAA
    Major US air carriers including Delta, United and American Airlines grounded all flights early on Friday over a communication issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    “All… flights regardless of destination” were grounded due to the “communication issues”, the FAA said in a notice to airlines.

    Equities sank Friday as hopes for US interest rate cuts were offset by uncertainty over the US presidential election and worries about China’s economy, while technical disruptions delayed London’s open as a widespread outage hit global computer systems.

    Investors were already on edge after a report said the White House was considering a crackdown on firms supplying chip technology to Beijing, and following Donald Trump’s call for Taiwan to pay Washington for help defending itself against China.

    Markets have been enjoying a healthy run-up as Federal Reserve officials have lined up in recent days to suggest they are ready to begin reducing rates.

    Data Thursday provided fresh room for the central bank to act, with initial jobless claims rising more than expected last week.

    However, the tech sector — which has led the surge in stocks this year — has taken a hefty hit after the report of the warning from the White House over supplying China and Trump’s remarks about Taiwan, home to some of the world’s biggest chip producers.

    There is also growing uncertainty over who will run against Trump in November, as calls for President Joe Biden to step aside continue to grow following a series of gaffes and a poor debate that have raised questions about his health.

    The New York Times cited several people close to Biden as saying they believe he has begun to accept that he may not be able to win and may have to drop out, with one quoted as saying: “Reality is setting in.”

    Former president Barack Obama has reportedly told allies Biden should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy”, The Washington Post said.

    While a Trump win is seen as positive for equities owing to likely tax cuts and corporate deregulation, there are worries about his plans to impose huge tariffs on Chinese imports — and those from elsewhere — which many say could fuel inflation again.

    A closely watched meeting of China’s leaders in Beijing this week provided nothing concrete by way of supporting the world’s number two economy.

    The Third Plenum, which meets twice a decade to decide key policies, saw few policy announcements, with state news agency Xinhua saying they had agreed to “prevent and resolve risks in key areas such as real estate, (and) local government debt”.

    They also vowed to “actively expand domestic demand” days after data this week revealed retail sales — a gauge of consumption — rose far less than expected in June.

    Economists at HSBC said: “The communique’s emphasis on ‘opening up as a distinctive feature of China’s modernisation’ is worth noting. We expect the government to prioritise reforms that will facilitate foreign investment.

    They pointed to persistent cross-border outflows, which are weighing on the yuan, and noted that the currency would likely remain under pressure owing to the big difference in US and Chinese interest rates, which makes it harder to attract investors.

    “With the (yuan’s) yield disadvantage likely to stay wide for longer, China needs more opening-up and market-oriented policies to attract or retain foreign investment.

    “This may help reduce imbalance in cross-border flows, and thus alleviate (yuan) depreciation pressure.”

    Shares in Hong Kong fell owing to a lack of policy detail, though Shanghai eked out a gain. There were also losses in Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta.

    Paris and Frankfurt fell while London’s FTSE 100 retreated after opening late having been hit by technical issues, with services around the world including airports, rail operators, banks, media and shops also affected.

    The disruption caused major US airlines to ground all flights over “communication issue”, the Federal Aviation Authority said.

    Tech titan Microsoft said it was taking “mitigation actions” in response to service issues.

    It was not clear if those were linked to the global outages.

    The announcement came as Australia reported a large-scale outage of IT systems, with the country’s national broadcaster, its largest international airport and a major telecommunications company reporting issues.

    Companies Worldwide
    The major outage grounded flights in the United States, derailing television broadcasts in the UK and impacting telecommunications in Australia.

    Major US air carriers including Delta, United and American Airlines grounded all flights on Friday over a communication issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    Flights were suspended at Berlin Brandenburg airport in Germany due to a “technical problem”, a spokeswoman told AFP.

    “There are delays to check-in, and flight operations had to be cancelled until 10:00 am (0800 GMT),” the spokeswoman said, adding that she could not say when they would resume.

    All airports in Spain were experiencing “disruptions” from an IT outage that has hit several companies worldwide on Friday, the airport operator Aena said.

    Hong Kong’s airport also said some airlines had been affected, with its authority issuing a statement in which it linked the disruption to a Microsoft outage.

    The UK’s biggest rail operator meanwhile warned of possible train cancellations due to IT issues, while photos posted online showed large queues forming at Sydney Airport in Australia.

    “Flights are currently arriving and departing however there may be some delays throughout the evening,” a Sydney Airport spokesman said.

    “We have activated our contingency plans with our airline partners and deployed additional staff to our terminals to assist passengers.”

    Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator said the “large-scale technical outage” was caused by an issue with a “third-party software platform”, adding there was no information as yet to suggest hacker involvement.

    – Banks, Airports Hit –
    Sky News in the UK said the glitch had ended its morning news broadcasts, while Australian broadcaster ABC similarly reported a major “outage”.

    Some self-checkout terminals at one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains were rendered useless, displaying blue error messages.

    New Zealand media said banks and computer systems inside the country’s parliament were reporting issues.

    Australian telecommunications firm Telstra suggested the outages were caused by “global issues” plaguing software provided by Microsoft and cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.

    Microsoft said in a statement it was taking “mitigation actions” in response to service issues.

    It was not clear if those were linked to the global outages.

    “Our services are still seeing continuous improvements while we continue to take mitigation actions,” Microsoft said in a post on social media platform X.”

     

     

  • Insecurity: Exercise restraint in your reportage, Presidency urges media

    Insecurity: Exercise restraint in your reportage, Presidency urges media

    The media have been urged to exercise restraint in their reportage concerning the current security challenges in some parts of the country.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Onanuga said that the media had the responsibility to promote laudable actions by government and make positive criticism based on the overriding national interest.

    According to him, screaming headlines that paint gory pictures of the situations will only hurt the country by scaring away genuine local and foreign direct investments.

    “Media reporting about cases of kidnapping, communal killings and isolated terrorism acts must show some moderation by not giving the impression that all Nigerians no longer sleep with two eyes closed or are not safe in going about their day-to-day business.

    “To sell our newspapers or clickbait, we tend to exaggerate and embellish, sometimes forgetting the social responsibility of the media, not to give the impression that our country is under siege by criminals or that every nook and cranny of our country is under their stranglehold.

    “One of our newspapers took this responsibility to heart in its report on the same Tuesday, making its major headline, the efforts by security agents to rein in the minority vagabonds in our midst,” he said.
    The presidential aide stated that though Nigeria had yet to reach the zenith of security, it was still not the worst country in terms of insecurity.

    For instance, he said that in robbery and kidnapping, Nigeria was not among the most endemic countries, adding that global listing put the country at less than one person to 100,000 persons involved in the crime.
    Onanuga said: “In a report by the World Population Review, Nigeria is not among the top 10 countries in the world, with kidnapping epidemic.

    “Turkey leads with 42 people kidnapped out of 100,000 people. Lebanon is second with 15 people out of 100,000 and Kuwait third with 12 out of 100,000 held in captivity.

    “Canada, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Eswatini and United Kingdom make up the remaining top 10. Kidnapping in Nigeria is 0.334 per 100,000.

    “The frightening headlines on Tuesday were based on the report by the Civil Society Joint Action Group that calls for an emergency on the security situation, surprisingly oblivious that our security agencies have been working in that spirit for a long time, since 2009.”

    He called for support media support in the efforts by security agencies at nipping criminality in the bud since the beginning of insecurity in the 1990s.

    “Our security agencies deserve society’s appreciation for their efforts so far in trying to nip in the bud the evils of kidnapping, banditry, communal killings and terrorism in our country.

    “Their efforts, most often understated, have made our country safer, at least, than South Africa or the United States where 44,310 people were killed last year in gun violence,” he said.

    The presidential aide said that government had been putting in place various kinetic and non-kinetic measures to improve security of lives and property.

    “President Tinubu has been providing material support to security agencies to discharge their duties.

    “In recent weeks, we have seen the police setting up a Special Intervention Squad, equipped with drones.
    “The DSS has stepped up its anti-kidnapping act, rescuing 154 abducted people in the last few days.

    “Last week, President Tinubu approved N50 billion as special funds to address some of the lingering security challenges in North-East. He also approved special funds to the FCT for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals,” he said.

    Onanuga urged all stakeholders to complement the efforts of the national and sub-national governments in tackling insecurity in the country.

     

  • NASS New Media Forum Hails Chief Kayode Odunaro @ 62

    NASS New Media Forum Hails Chief Kayode Odunaro @ 62

    The National Assembly New Media Forum has congratulated Chief Kayode Odunaro – Chief of Staff to the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation and senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan.

    The Forum also commended him for his immense support and contribution to the growth of Online Media Forum in particular, and journalism profession in general.

    The Forum in a statement endorsed by the Exco and signed by the Chairman, Clement Nwabuko and the General Secretary, Oriri Peter stated that as Forum members, we are proud to be associated with you as a dependable ally who has worked hard to ensure that the Online Media Forum occupies its pride of place in the scheme of things in National Assembly.

    Therefore, as you begin another cycle of life today, we pray God Almighty to grant you more blissful years in sound health and grant you wisdom and vision to excel in all your future endeavours.

    Be rest assured that the Forum will continue to give you all the necessary supports you require to discharge the duties of your office robustly.

    Congratulations oncemore and happy birthday celebration.

    With regards from members of the National Assembly New Media Forum.

  • NSF president, Engineer Toke heaps praises on the Nigeria sporting media

    NSF president, Engineer Toke heaps praises on the Nigeria sporting media

    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, says all their sponsors, associates, partners, players including the media are their Sports Personality of the Year the 2023 and beyond.
    Aka gave this verdict in a chat with your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG while reviewing the activities of the Scrabble Federation in the last 12 months and also outlining their plans for 2024.
    “Without our numerous sponsors, associates, partners, players and the media, scrabble would not have flourished in the out going year and we are deeply grateful to them.” The Scrabble encyclopedia said.
    The NSF President says, “Our Grand Patron and Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Engineer Ojior Osikhena, Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi, Engineer Adowei, Dr. Mrs Winifred Awosika, Samuel Anikoh, Mohammed Abbas, Austin Isiekwe, Dr Musa Olasupo, Chrisland Schools, Adekoyejo Adegbesan the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President, Frontpage Couture, SM Quartey, Charles Uzamere, Abba Hydara and Haruna Adamu are some of the friends who helped in making the game of words thicker in 2023.”
    “The list of individuals and corporate bodies that have been backing scrabble over the years is pretty long, we at NSF appreciate you all, we cannot thank you enough. Our friends is the media, you are our backbone, thank you so very much and like Oliver Twist we shall keep asking for more.” He added.
    Aka, a former President of the Pan African Scrabble Association also heap praises on the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri who has opened his door to the scrabble fraternity in the last three years with the staging of the Douye Diri Bayelsa National Open Scrabble Championship.
    Aka, explained that over 99% of the 2023 Scrabble Championships, events within and outside the shores of Nigeria were carried out to the letter. “All the competitions in the NSF calendar were executed except the South South National Open Championship, Words and Wits Champion of Champions and South East Closed that failed to happen this year.”
    He noted that the Zadok National Championship, the NSF Inter Club Challenge, the NSF Annual General Meeting and the Awards and Gala Night that were the curtain raiser of the year changed the face of the game positively and it became the catalyst for other competitions throughout the year.
    That well attended four-in-one event that took place at the Bentley Hotel, Abuja saw Eta Karo become the new holder of the National Green Jacket, Warri Scrabble Club won the club title of the year while Delta State were crown State champions.
    “I’m very elated the a record number of players and States participated in the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State with 8 States registering their name on the medal table at the end of the Games, that for me is a massive boast for the game and it tells you that the future is very bright.“ Aka explained.
    “From the African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy Tour, the Championship it’s self, the PANASA President’s Cup (PPC), the West African Scrabble Championship (WASC), Nigeria and Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), were a near perfect hosts, all in attendance experienced unique memories that will leave with us and Africa forever. And like I said before, without these individuals and corporate bodies’ support as well as the media, the story will not be sweet to tell.”
    It’s interesting to mention that Team Nigeria won the AYSC, President’s Cup, the West African Scrabble Championship and came second at the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA despite the challenges the team faced before and during the championship with the funding and traveling arrangement.
    “We are looking forward to a bigger and better 2024 Scrabble Circuit and I hope more sponsors, associates and partners will come onboard and back project like the Inter Collegiate Championship among Universities, Polytechnic, Colleges of Education and other higher institutions of learning which is the future of scrabble in Nigeria.” Engineer Toke Aka stressed.
    Aka, went on to appeal to the ministry of sports to support the Federation and other sporting Federations financially and make strong and workable policies. He also called on other corperate bodies including well meaning individuals with deep pockets to show more love to scrabble and sport generally, stating that sport has the power to transform the economy positively.
     For your information, Engineer Toke Aka was re-elected as an executive member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), during it’s Congress this year an plus for the game of words and mind in Nigeria and the continent.
  • Media Sustainability/Professionalism: NGE To Launch Trust Fund

    Media Sustainability/Professionalism: NGE To Launch Trust Fund

    In line with the resolution of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), recently held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) plans to launch Nigerian Editors Trust Fund, which is designed to address the professional/welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria.
    At the ANEC in Akwa Ibom State, publishers, media executives and editors harped on the urgent need by the Guild to initiate strategic move that will focus on the professional/welfare needs of media houses and editors in Nigeria – as part of several efforts to help them to continue to discharge their constitutional and social responsibility to the society without necessarily compromising their ethical standards.
    In a statement issued on Monday by the President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the professional body of editors and media executives, stated that the initiative is a response to the increasing professional/welfare challenges faced by the highest echelon of Nigerian journalists in performing their duties.
    ‘’The trust fund, which is expected to be launched in the first quarters of 2024, will also address the daunting economic challenges that the media executives and editors are faced with during and after office. The fund will benefit the Guild’s members in the print, electronic and online media.
    ‘’The trust fund will be a collaborative effort among all the stakeholders in the media sector, including the public sector – aimed at addressing key challenges that affect the professionals, who are the ultimate gatekeepers in their media organisations’’, the Guild added.
    The Guild, at its annual conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently, set up a committee headed by its Vice-President (East), Mr. Sheddy Ozoene, to liaise with media stakeholders and coordinate the launching of the outfit in the first quarter of next year.
    According to the statement, ‘’The trust fund will create the much-desired impact in the journalism profession in the country as the editors and media executives will be exposed to empowerment programms and innovations in the media industry, retraining and networking opportunities with colleagues from around the world.’’
    The Guild added that the trust fund, which will be managed by trustees made up of eminent personalities from within and outside the media, will be a fallback cushion for media executives and editors in critical situations, and a source of addressing their welfare needs as well as funding for key media projects that will impact Nigeria’s democracy, good governance and national development.
  • Media workers down tools in Kwara state over unmet demands

    Media workers down tools in Kwara state over unmet demands

    In Kwara state, media personnel under the auspices of various labour unions in all State-owned media houses have insisted on proceeding on the declared warning strike effective from Tuesday, Today.

    The unions have set up monitoring and compliance teams that would man each of the state-owned media houses from Tuesday morning.

    The industrial action was sequel to the resolution of the joint emergency congress of each union in Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation (The Herald Newspapers), Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara), Kwara State Television Authority (Kwara TV) and Kwara State Arts and Culture arising from the inability of the state government to immediately implement some of the demands of the unions.

    The unions included National Union of Paper Products, Printing and Publishing Workers (NUPPPROW), Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    According to the various media unions in the state, the warning strike action, which will hold between Tuesday and Wednesday, was due to the failure of the state government to treat state-owned media workers and cultural workers as essential workers in the state employment.

    They noted that the government has failed to meet their demands for the implementation of 100 percent essential allowance due to them.

     

    In an earlier notice of warning strike issued in Ilorin, the unions called for an immediate revision of the weigh-in allowance to be at per with minimum wage of ₦30,000 and a 27 percent increment based on grade level, which has not been implemented.

    Some of the issues leading to the industrial action in the state-owned media outfits include non-implementation of the 2021 and 2022 promotion exercises, inability to overhaul equipment and facilities in the media houses in spite of repeated appeals, annual increment anomalies and stagnation in career progression, which has unjustly restricted workers in Radio Kwara and Kwara TV to Level 16 Cadre as the peak of their career in the civil service.

    The aggrieved media workers are also protesting the imposition of junior officers as Corporation Secretaries and Controllers of Finance and Supply, CFAs, on the state-owned media houses, who are often deployed from the office of the state Head of Service and Ministry of Finance respectively without taking cognizance of the global best practices.

    It would be recalled that the unions held a meeting with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Prince Mahe Abdulkadir-led state government negotiation team on Sunday where it appealed that the warning strike be shelved.

    But the unions said at the meeting that they can’t act independently of the congresses of each union.

  • 5th World Media Summit kicks off in Guangdong, China

    5th World Media Summit kicks off in Guangdong, China

    The 5th World Media Summit kicked off on Saturday in the Guangdong Province of China, with about 400 delegates attending.

    Of the figure, 200 are heads of mainstream media outlets, while other participants are government officials and representatives of international organisations globally.

    This year’s Summit is focusing on “Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development”.

    It is expected that delegates will brainstorm on issues of common interests and concerns, one of which is the role of the media in promoting human development and security.

    Others are media’s response to new technological opportunities and challenges, the media new markets in the digital age and the media’s worldwide cooperation for a better future.

    In addition to the plenary session and parallel forums, delegates will have the opportunity to visit leading tech firms which started on Friday with a tour of GAC Technology Museum.

    At the GAC Technology Museum, the delegates were amazed by the array of concept vehicles, some of which will soon hit the market.

    Among such futuristic vehicles were driverless minivans and race cars powered by electricity.

    The delegates arrived the Summit venue  from across the globe  on Friday and quickly settled into business.

    Nigeria is represented at the Summit by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) and Blueprint, a privately-owned newspaper.

    NAN managing director Ali M. Ali is expected to deliver a goodwill message and a paper with the title: “Bolstering Confidence: Media’s role in Promoting Human development and security”.

    In the dynamic landscape of global media, the World Media Summit stands as a pivotal forum for fostering collaboration and addressing challenges, bringing together leaders and influencers from diverse corners of the world to engage in meaningful dialogue.

    The notion of holding the summit was first proposed by Xinhua in 2008 with the aim of facilitating exchanges among leading media groups worldwide, on the challenges posed by the emergence of the “New Media” and enhancing their win-win cooperation.

    Co-initiated by a collection of media organisations with global influence — including Xinhua News Agency, the Associated Press, Reuters, TASS Russian News Agency, the first summit, organised by Xinhua, was held in Beijing in 2009.

    With Moscow hosting the second in 2012, followed by the third in Doha, Qatar, in 2016, and Beijing in 2021 for the fourth summit via video link, the World Media Summit has demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity and a diverse representation of global media perspectives.

    From top executives and Editors-in-Chief to seasoned journalists and media scholars, as well as press officials, the Summit seeks to foster dialogue, share insights and collectively address the multifaceted challenges confronting contemporary media.

  • Tinubu urges media to portray Nigeria in good light to attract foreign investors

    Tinubu urges media to portray Nigeria in good light to attract foreign investors

    President Bola Tinubu has advised the media to portray Nigeria positively to attract the needed investments that would foster economic growth and development in the country.

    Tinubu made the appeal on Wednesday at the opening of the 19th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC), organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, on Wednesday.

    The president, who was represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed the role of the media as a primary source of information.

    He said, “I urge you to provide positive media coverage that can enhance investor confidence and attract the needed investments that fuel economic development in our county. The media’s role in portraying a favourable business environment contributes to the stability of financial markets,” he said.

    Tinubu said promoting discussions on stimulating economic growth in the country remained a central focus of his administration and called for collaborative efforts of the media editors to sustain the discussions in alignment with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He acknowledged the immediate economic pains inflicted by the removal of fuel subsidy, saying his administration has been taking necessary measures to alleviate the pain through interventions designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium term, as the nation awaits the long-term benefits of the reforms.

    Tinubu listed some of the interventions as the provisional wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months, to augment the federal minimum wage; the establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for States to invest in critical areas that will create an enabling environment for businesses, and the launch of a N100 billion CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, as well as the establishment of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation.

    He appealed to media editors to help combat the menace of misinformation, disinformation, and false narratives that threaten the fabric of society through fact-checking, responsible reporting, and promoting media and digital literacy.