The Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, has stated that the Nigerian government should establish a media-friendly commission where budgetary allocations can be directed to media organisations operating in the country.

Usman, a journalist and former regional manager for DW, who was serving in Germany before his appointment last year, cited the Republic of Niger, stating that the central government assists all media outfits in the country.

The commissioner, who spoke on Tuesday at the Media Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Bauchi State Council, argued that the media, being regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, should be catered for, just like the other arms of government.

He said, “It is on this note that I called on the Federal Government to establish a more media-friendly commission or media fund. Every year, Niger Republic budgets funds for the media –both the public and private companies.

“If Niger, our neighbouring country, can do it, why not Nigeria?”

The Media Summit, tagged: “Journalists and Good Governance”, had top government functionaries and media veterans in academic and media organisations.

Additionally, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahaya, reiterated the commissioner’s call for a media survival fund. He urged the practitioners to prioritise the ethics of the profession and personal security.