Activity: Media Clinic
Period of Activity: May, 2016
Location: Kaduna
Background:
The Media in Nigeria and Africa at large is fast evolving from the traditional media to the New Media.
However, the media and journalism practice have had a number of setbacks contending the development and freedom of the press. These issues range from censorship, threats and intimidation, inadequate funding, poor training and retraining of personnel.
Unprofessionalism among some journalists has also posed a challenge to the growth of media in Africa.
Another challenge is inadequate platforms where experts in the field can come together to examine some of these issues bedeviling the media and create an action plan to address such.
It was in response to these challenges that the Africa Media Development Foundation introduced the ‘Media Clinic’, an annual event that brings together Media Professionals: journalists and media executives, development partners, Civil Society Organizations, private and public sector to examine issues that affect the media and proffer solutions to these issues.
The 2nd edition of the Media clinic was held on 3rd May 2016 to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day with the topic: Press Freedom and safety of Journalists in Nigeria and Africa. The objective of the meeting was: to commemorate the World Press freedom day; bring to the fore issues that relate to the safety of journalists in Nigeria and Africa; and to recognize journalists who have stood out in developmental and investigative reporting.
The event focused on freedom of Information and the safety of Journalist in Nigeria and Africa and featured a paper presentation on “Understanding the Freedom of Information Act”, by Abel Adejor from LEADS Nigeria.
There was also a panel discussion on Press Freedom and Safety of the Journalist in Nigeria and Africa Ahmed Maiyaki a journalists and communication expert.
The discussants were Ahmed B. Said, a lecturer of Mass Communication with the Kaduna Polytechnic; Christiana Alabi of Daily Trust Newspapers and Garba Mohammed a journalists.
Two categories of award were given to 6 people: Lifetime Achievement Award and courage in Journalism Award.
The life time achievement award went to Alh, Lawal Yusuf Saulawa, General Manager, Nagarta Radio, Kaduna and Mr. Joseph Edegbo, Retired Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
Present at the Media Clinic were journalists, media practitioners and civil society organizations. The event
A Communiqué issued at the end of the Media Clinic raised the following issues:
- Synergy between industry and classroom in journalism practice.
- Press freedom is relative; hence journalist and the media at large must be socially responsible.
- Female journalists should be empowered while still learning to know their rights and actualize it.
- Journalism professional and ethical conduct of members should be enhanced.
- Development and investigative journalism should be encouraged.
AMDF was encouraged to continue to highlight opportunities for developmental and investigative reporting training for the benefit of journalists in the region as well as track Press Freedom and safety of Journalists in Nigeria and Africa at large.