Ganduje believed the media industry which suffered equal effect of global health challenges and unfriendly economic environment, deserved similar national attention accorded other industries.
The governor made the call while declaring open a two-day roundtable conference on Media Development and Sustainable Funding in Nigeria, at Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano.
Ganduje, who emphasised that the primary responsibility of media in agenda setting and the role of keeping concern authorities in check for good governance are largely being threatened by the economic challenges, insisted the need for government support cannot be more justified.
He noted that besides funding predicament, Nigeria media environment was equally struggled with gap in capacity and management failure.
Expressing worry that tons of challenges are presently reflecting on the quality and standard of programmes and content emanating from the outlets, Ganduje renewed call for legal framework and regulation to standardise operations of few media outfits bridging the ethics of the profession.
He stressed the roles of media in promoting unity, peace and development of democracy, and was optimistic that the conference will develop a workable blueprint that will check media sensationalism, fake news and bad journalism in the country.
The Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Abubakar Adamu Sagir, said the institution is set embrace the unbundling as well as biding a farewell to mass communication programme with the establishment of new faculty that will house academic programmes such as journalism, development communication, public relations, broadcasting, advertising and film media studies.
He pointed out that with the support of MacArthur foundation, the university is at the advance stage of unveiling its television station, having secured operational license and procurement of facilities.
The VC applauded the foundation for supporting the establishments of digital FM radio station and computer laboratory that can accommodate 150 students.
The convener of the roundtable and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, explained that the conference which draws media executives, professional and academia to chart new part towards addressing funding and developmental challenges bedeviling the mainstream media industry in Nigeria.
