Members of Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) have stressed the need for government to support academic research that will engender national development in the country.
Speaking at the third AMCRON International Conference and yearly General Meeting (AGM) held at the University of Lagos, recently, President of the association, Prof. Eserinune McCarty Mojaye, observed, “advanced countries of the world realised the importance of research and they deploy it on all frontiers. In the developing countries however, we do not seem to accord research its pride of place in the scheme of things.”
With the theme: “Communication, Mass Media and Governance in Africa: Trajectories, Expectations and Realities” Mojaye said, “at AMCRON, members are determined to change this narrative and we are committed to making research the bedrock of our development. We therefore need support from governments and collaboration from the private and public organisations, including well-meaning individuals to achieve our goals in the areas of research and development.”
Chairman of the event and Chief Executive Officer, Troyka Holdings Limited, Biodun Shobanjo, also urged communication scholars and researchers to interrogate issues militating against progress of the nation and proffer possible solutions.
He noted, “history has shown that when society is in turmoil and the need to make sense of complexities, uncertainties and ambiguities that come about as a consequence of constant, unpredictable change is high, it is to scholars we must turn for the conceptual tools to navigate our way out of the abyss.”
Shobanjo further added that the articulation and dynamic observance of the role of media in not only informing, educating, entertaining, but more importantly, becoming the advocate and the beacon for the enthronement of good governance is now more than called for.
He, however, expressed worry over abuse of media rules, as well as the trend of media bullying, occurrences, which he said, must be addressed.
To him, “we are witnesses of attempts by some politicians who daily assail us in their efforts, particularly, on television, to capture or intimidate on air, personalities who seek the truth from the probing questions they ask. Rather than comply, people in this category resort to blackmail, mudslinging and bullying.
“It is as if Nigerians do not have a right to know. I do not recall the Nigerian public raising their voices in defence of theses hapless journalists. And yet we, including the political class, applaud the Piers Morgans, Steven Sackurs, Christiane Amanpours, Lyse Doucets, Oprah Winfreys, and the king of them all, the late Larry King, to mention a few, when they probe and call out the political class in their own climes.”
On his part, retired Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Ralph Akinfeleye, expressed happiness with the commitment of AMCRON to research for national development and advocated the need for such efforts to be relevant and issue-based.
He reminded every media practitioner of the obligation to the people as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He also faulted the non-justiciability of Chapter 2, Section 22 of the Constitution, and called out a section of the media for what he described as acts of sabotage during the last general elections.
While expressing worry over dearth of literature in the nation’s media space, the don said media related research must serve as a tool for national unity, adding that research methodologies must be reviewed and made holistic while media operators must insist on professionalism to rid the profession of unethical conducts causing blemishes.
Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye, gave the remarks of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.
He stressed the importance of the conference theme, which he said, would help address the failed governance system in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Others who delivered goodwill messages include, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Ladja Odukoya; Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Abraham Oshunubi; Lead Partner, CMC Communications, Yomi Badejo; representatives of Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), among others.
They commended the communication scholars and urged them to deconstruct issues affecting the growth of the media in the country and proffer suggestions, which would change the media landscape.
