Editors, media owners, others canvass self- regulatory framework
Stakeholders, yesterday, said a media-driven regulatory framework was a most effective guarantee for freedom and independence of the profession in deference to extant best practices.
The players, comprising representatives of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), International Press Centre (IPC) and other media managers, yesterday, met in Lagos, at a one-day strategic parley to deliberate on a framework for media regulation in Nigeria,
The gathering, which was supported by United States of America Embassy in Nigeria, was convened by NGE in continuation of an ongoing initiative, which includes a series of town hall meetings and capacity-building workshops for editors, besides restating the commitment of media stakeholders to defend freedom of expression, and independence, as well as the public’s right to know.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by NGE President, Mustapha Isah; Executive Secretary of NPAN, Feyi Smith; NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo; Executive Director of MRA, Edetaen Ojo and Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade; the participants resolved for a self-regulatory framework to attain improved standards in the Nigerian media and protect the industry from government’s interference, control and repression.
The meeting commended media houses that had appointed local ombudsman, urging others to emulate the move.
A committee, made up of representatives of the different stakeholder groups to develop a framework for self-regulation by the media in Nigeria was later raised.
It was mandated to review previous reports for better recommendation (s).
