Osinbajo sees the media partners in deepening democracy

20 Aug Osinbajo sees the media partners in deepening democracy

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said that  by creating, moulding and reflecting the heartbeat of the society the media is an indispensable partner in deepening politics and governance.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, spoke on Thursday at a lecture and launch of Broadcasters International magazine in Lagos.

The Vice-President noted that with the rapid audience shift from television to digital, staying relevant and influential in broadcast media is becoming more challenging but key for long-term viability.

He said despite the thinking of the younger generation, broadcast television is not dead but evolving rapidly, making its transformation necessary to avoid becoming irrelevant.

“It is important that we have this conversation at a time like this, when Nigeria is now called a youthful nation with about 62 per cent of the population below the age of 25 years… That demography is tending more towards the digital space for information, education and entertainment,” Osinbajo said.

“Broadcasters must adapt to these changes to stay relevant. Identifying the key changes and emerging trends in broadcasting will help those in the industry to determine how to adjust their media strategies, what tactics will most likely lead to success and how to better prepare for the future.

“However, even as we strive to make governance more transparent and accountable in its workings, and to pursue transparency in governance as well as rid it of the old habits of secrecy and opacity ingrained during the era of military rule, we have realised that abuse of state power is not the only threat to the liberal tradition.

“Right now, we also have to deal with issues, such as the proliferation of fake news,” he said.  Chairman of the occasion, an ace broadcaster and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Amb. Yemi Farounbi, reiterated his call for a professional body that could stimulate broadcasting education and regulate the standard and quality of training.

Dignitaries at the event included Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Donald Ojogo; former ace football and sports presenter, Chief Segun Odegbami; Executive Secretary, BON, Dr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, and representative of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Olatunji Hakeem.