A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY INFORMATION SUMMIT ON “MANAGING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: THE CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” ORGANIZED BY OYO STATE GOVERNMENT AT THE EMERITUS PROFESSOR THEOPHILUS OGUNLESI HALL ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 8TH AND 9TH AUGUST, 2017
The Summit had in attendance Media Chiefs, Media Regulatory Agencies, Government Functionaries, Public Relations Practitioners, Information Officers, Communication Lecturers, Reporters, Broadcasters, Lawyers, Communication Students and other Stakeholders.
Participants commended the Oyo State Government for organizing the epochal summit as it offered opportunity for Stakeholders to examine the challenges in the Information and Communication Industry. It therefore suggested that Information summit of this nature should be organized periodically.
After a careful examination of issues addressed on past and current Nigerian socio-political milieu, the Summit:
- Condemned inflammatory statements and narratives from different parts of the country on media channels as well as linguistic or extra linguistic acts that can spur hatred and unnecessary tension. Nigerian media should encourage the use of positive languages to promote peace and harmony in the society
- Called for periodic trainings and mentoring for media practitioners and information managers
- Called for provision of necessary working tools for media practitioners, and information managers in line with global best practices.
- Wants speedy completion of the Oyo State Archive currently under construction to aid research and preservation of important records.
- Called for revival and sustenance of the culture of professionalism among media practitioners and other employers
- Wanted more attention paid to the welfare of Media Practitioners and Information managers by media owners and employers.
- Called for effective monitoring of media houses by various regulatory agencies to enforce strict compliance with regulations guiding the media profession
- Called for regulation of Online Publishing through legislation.
- Underscored the Need for synergy between government and media practitioners as catalysts for sustainable development in Nigeria
- Highlighted the need for review of existing media regulatory laws
