Senior editors at the Third FrontFoot Media Roundtable have called for closer collaboration and better management of technology to keep the Nigerian media industry afloat.
The event, held recently in Lagos, brought together 40 editors from top print and online publications in Lagos with discussions focused on “The Nexus Between Media and Government Accountability.”
The event was organised by FrontFoot Media Initiative, a non-profit mass media organisation, the roundtable tackled the state of media practice, while the communique was signed by Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Ken Ugbechie, Vice President (South) of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers; and Emeka Izeze, Director and Partner at FrontFoot Media Initiative.
Intellectual property issues also dominated the discourse, especially concerns over how global tech giants like Google interact with Nigerian media outlets. The editors, who expressed their worries, said they were “concerned about the Intellectual Property scene and how Google currently deals with Nigerian media houses,” stressed the need for local publishers to protect their rights.
According to the communique, editors “emphasised the imperative of collaboration among players and stakeholders for the sustainability of the media ecosystem.”
They urged stronger ties between media organisations and civil society groups like the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Media Rights Agenda, and FrontFoot Media Initiative, to drive training and support initiatives.
One of the key issues raised was the impact of technology on the Nigerian media industry. While digital tools have brought new ways for news production and distribution, they have also exposed a significant skills gap.
“Tech” according to the editor, “is an enabler and is growing in application in the industry. However, it has created a severe divide between tech-compliant personnel deficient in journalism know-how and experienced journalists who need more digital technical knowledge and ability.”
The editors said that the media must bridge the gap between technology and journalism. To do this, “the media must prioritise capacity building and education for its new intakes and retraining for old hands.” The editors insisted that new and seasoned journalists alike need a blend of passion, ethics, capacity and knowledge.”
Intellectual property issues also dominated the discourse, especially concerns over how global tech giants like Google interact with Nigerian media outlets. The editors, who expressed their worries, said they were “concerned about the Intellectual Property scene and how Google currently deals with Nigerian media houses,” stressed the need for local publishers to protect their rights.
To strengthen the industry, the communique proposed several solutions, including setting up a Libel Defence Fund to support media outlets facing legal attacks for defamation. Editors also called for stronger journalistic standards to “minimise troubling trends such as wilful plagiarism, wrongful or non-attribution of story sources.”
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