Stakeholders Tasks Media Practitioners on Objectivity, Positive Narratives for National Development
Numerous stakeholders have enjoined media practitioners especially Journalists, to extensively deploy the use of objectivity and positive narratives in their reporting activities in order to contribute towards aiding the country on her journey to peaceful coexistence and National Development.
The call was made during a special Iftar get together Organized by the Arewa Agenda for Sustainable Development, a media development Organization for Young Writers and Journalists from Northern Nigeria using Media Action and positive narratives for for National growth and development, on Sunday evening to commemorate the last ten days of the Holy month of Ramadan.
In her remarks, Nafisa Ahmad Murtala a Senior Producer and Programs Manager Express Radio 90.3fm Kano noted that Journalism is a very important tool for change and only advocacy rather than media war can bring out the positive light.
“You can change lots of lives and impact on so many people with Journalism so my advice for upcoming Journalists is that whenever we are practicing, it should be advocacy oriented as that is the only way we can ensure synergy between Government and reporters for the needed intervention.”
On her part, Bilkisu Ado Zango, Chairperson Nigerian Association of Women Journalists Kano State Chapter and Editor with Radio Kano called for unity and collaboration among Journalists in order to make their voices heard.
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Also speaking, Dr. Musa Abdullahi Sufi, the Kano State Coordinator of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Coordinator Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation (AAGF), said that youths are the most important population of any nation as they are being relied upon to move their country forward.
He therefore called on every young person, whether Journalist, Activist, humanitarian or Civil Society Organizations to always see themselves as Ambassadors of their family, tradition, culture, religion and Nation while discharging their duties, “so whenever you are doing anything whether you are writing or talking about your country, remember that you are a representative wherever you go, people don’t see you alone, they see your country through you so we should always be responsible and involved in narratives that can push the nation forward,” he said.
While speaking Aminu M Auwal a Development Film Maker and Director in Kannyood movie industry tasked Journalists to ensure they make use of “pull syndrome” rather than “push syndrome” in their narratives as this will enable the subject they are reporting get a sense of belonging and have a rethink of their bad ways.
“Some of this people we are talking about which I have encountered in the bushes of Zamfara don’t even know that killing someone is haram (a sin), they were surprised when I told them and these are people that have raised entire villages,” he noted.
For Mr. Sani Mohammed, a Development Worker and Executive Director, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), the media and development workers have to work together to create needed awareness and sensitization especially in the face of the ever increasing incidence of gender based violence.
“Certain things we here or see on gender based violence, we don’t reveal sometimes because they are too ugly to mention and when people perpetrate them, they hide under the guise of religion. This is not about religion, this is about a people too comfortable with a system that favors them. We must come together to change this,” Sani challenged.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Convener and Managing Editor, Arewa Agenda for Sustainable Development, Mr. Mohammed Dahiru Lawal said the Iftar was Organized in line with the Tradition of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW) in order to create an environment for unity and collaboration towards positive developement especially among Journalists and relevant stakeholders.
He further tasked Journalists to be wary of the dangers of single side stories while discharging their duties.
In attendance were special guests from all walks of life including senior and upcoming Journalists, development workers, filmakers, freelancers among others.
