The Journalism Education and Trauma Research Group (JETREG) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) on Friday celebrated the 2024 World Press Freedom Day.
The programme which was held at NIJ auditorium witnessed both virtual and physical inputs of lecturers and media experts on this year’s theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalist in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’.
The Provost of NIJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye in his address stated that the programme is beyond celebrating journalists and press freedom – and acknowledged the threats faced by journalists across the globe, especially in Nigeria.
Mr. Adefaye said: “We at NIJ stand in solidarity with media practitioners and professionals who face threats and we keep on fighting to protect our freedom to inform and to hold those in power accountable.
“We’re here to honour the unwavering dedication of journalists and media practitioners and their effort to hold those in power accountable, expose injustice and give voice to the voiceless. But this is also a remarkable day to acknowledge the challenges such as misinformation, censorship and threats that are affecting the fabric of the profession.”
While giving his address, lecturer at Ghent University, Belgium, Dr. Nureni Bakanne enjoined NIJ and other journalism schools across the continent to equip students with environmental reporting skills.
Dr. Bakanne reiterated the significance of environmental reporting prowess and the need for experts in tertiary institutions who can impact students with the right knowledge.
He charged lecturers to keep students abreast of terminologies, different specialties among other things in environmental reporting.
“In environmental reporting, we have biodiversity, pollution of various kinds, natural disaster, renewable energy, water resources and more and we need to make students know them. We should focus on these areas before they go on to practice. Failure to do this is why they face a lot of hazards when they get to the field,” the media scholar said.
Bakanne urged media organisations to provide trauma support materials and organise regular trainings for journalists, stressing that “what is applicable last year may not be applicable this year”.
He also noted the importance of mentors to environmental reporters – and reiterated the need for insurance in order to protect them and their families.
He added that ‘insurance cover’ is a motivation that makes journalists more effective in the course of discharging their duties.
Similarly, the Co-Lead, Journalism Education and Trauma Research Group (JETREG), Africa Hub, Dr. Qasim Akinreti disclosed that Press Freedom Day is a day of expectations for journalists as regards reviewing practices and challenges encountered over the years.
Dr. Akinreti mentioned that it is also an avenue to commend journalists for their commitment and exceptional role in holding governments accountable.
“For those in power, they don’t like journalists because they say it as it is and because of this, journalists have to pay the sacrifice. People have the right to know and as journalists, we have to let the public know,” he noted.
Mr. Akinreti, who is also the Deputy Director of Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria (VON) recalled that journalists have been reporting climate change and its effects for years but people were not paying attention.
“The onus is on all of us to keep our environment safe and make it conducive for everyone,” the veteran journalist added.
He called for improved welfare and safety of journalists – and also condemned the intimidation of reporters across the world.
The Head of Department (HOD), NIJ, Mrs. Maureen Popoola also spoke on the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day saying “there is no country in the world where you can have hundred percent press freedom.”
Mrs. Popoola added: “Although, we cannot compare Nigeria to the United States and western democracy but when it comes to Africa, the press freedom in Nigeria is commendable to a large extent.”
She highlighted self censorship as the biggest challenge journalists face, explaining that journalists censor themselves most of the times.
Her words: “We often times censor ourselves for one reason or the other. Most media organisations depend on adverts for revenue and government is the biggest advertiser. Most times, particularly in the broadcast media, because they are expecting adverts from various states government, they may not carry certain stories.
“So, as far as I am concerned, most times, it is journalists themselves that embark on self censorship and not necessarily the government wielding the big stick.”
The HOD explained that press freedom is like oxygen to humans, stressing that there is no democracy without press freedom.
“We need one another, it is like a symbiotic relationship. Government needs the press to inform the citizens. They embark on various programmes and for the public to know about the particular programme or project, they need the press. So, government should not see the press as an enemy. The press is the oxygen of democracy.”
When asked about the improvement she would like to see in Nigerian media, the lecturer said: “I wish the press has access to more funds to be independent. Without funds, you can’t be independent. If the press have their own money, they will not need to kill certain stories because it will offend a governor, who will now decide not to give advert to a particular media house.”
According to final year student of NIJ, Mr. Dipo Teniola, press freedom can be amplified in Nigeria with frequent discourse across various media channels.
Mr. Dipo opined that government policies can assist in sustaining press freedom in Nigeria.
The filmmaker further disclosed the importance of the public towards protecting journalists, maintaining that “it all boils down to awareness”.
“When people know that the pressmen are undersized, then they know that these people that serve for our purpose and interest need protection. So, the culture of silence is out of it and if the media do more to show that they are on the side of the masses, the people will support the press automatically,” the broadcast student elucidated.
The programme had other speakers including the Lead at JETREG Africa Hub, Prof. Dele Odunlami; Lecturer at University of Lincoln, United Kingdom (UK), Prof. Ola Ogunyemi; and Environment correspondent, Dr. Esther Omofariola.
Dignitaries present at the programme include the immediate past Deputy Provost, NIJ, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe; Head of Department, Mass Communication, Mr. Mike Osuji; Lecturers, Mr. Cami Ezenwa, Mrs. Okoh Christiana, Mr. Anthony Oligbo and students of the monotechnic.
