Liberian Journalists equipped with skill for effective Electoral Coverage

A six day workshop under the theme "Enhancing the Role of the media for Effective Electoral Coverage" took place in Monrovia, Liberia from 21st to 26th February. The workshop is under the 5year The Civil Society and Media Leadership Programme of IREX www.irex.org in partnership with USAID, Liberia Media Centre, International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) and African Elections Project www.africanelections.org.

The workshop is part of the process to prepare Journalists in Liberia to cover upcoming October 2011 general elections

Participants are being taken through topics such as, voter Registration, Exhibition and the Final Process, The National Referendum; Facts You Ought to Know, Drawing of Electoral Districts, Prospects and Challenges to the 2011 General and Presidential , PUL'S Code of Conduct (Elections) & Code of Ethics, Liberia's electoral history, Understanding Liberia's Election Laws & the Process, Conflict Sensitive Reporting & Information Management and ICTs and Elections Coverage which is being facilitated by African Elections Project, Liberia www.africanelections.org bringing project experience from 10 countries in this area.

The workshop was attended by 24 participants drawn from radio and print Liberia journalists.

AEP

Nigeria wants more investment in new media

Nigeria is hoping that more investment in new media will be a means of
keeping the country informed of global media practices and the
advantages that come with Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) in gathering and processing content.

"The advent of the new media with its attendance technology has
enhanced media practices. It has brought with it greater speed," said
the Publisher of Media Review, Lanre Idowu, guest lecturer at the
public presentation of a book titled, "Secrets of Online and
Multimedia Journalism – A Manual for Online and Multimedia Journalism
Practice in Africa'.

The book is the first of such on the subject matter in Nigeria. It is
co-authored by two journalists, Mudathir Ganiyu, a former editor at
the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, and Qasim Akinreti, a principal News
online editor with the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

"In terms of gathering of news, retrieval of archival materials,
production, contents, instant feedback and reaching wider audience,
the new media reshaped the practice of journalism and has also brought
with it new challenges", Idowu, who was represented at the occasion by
Anthony Okafor, added.

The lecture was titled, "New Media and journalism practice in Nigeria:
Challenges and Prospect."

http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=11033

Nigeria : CFC Calls on the Media to Work towards Successful Elections

Press Release CFC Calls on the Media to Work towards Successful Elections   (Lagos, Feb 9, 2010) Communicating For Change (CFC), Nigeria's leading development communications organization urged the broadcast media to help pave the way to successful elections at a forum for television and radio stations focusing on  "the Role of the Media In Successful Elections" held in Lagos on Tuesday,February 8th 2011, at Terra Kulture.   The forum was attended by Chief Executive Officers and program heads of radio and television stations and the print media and a lively panel discussion highlighted the responsibility of the media in entrenching democracy through proper and credible elections. The discussion was moderated by John Momoh, Chairman of Channels TV and panelists were Professor Ralph Akifeleye (Head of the University of Lagos Department of Mass Communications), Dr Ngozi Iwere (Executive Director, Community Life Project), and Mr. Olufemi Ayeni (Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission).   As Nigeria prepares for the 2011 country-wide polls, participants discussed the challenges facing the media in election reporting as well as the importance of emphasizing that voters have sufficient information to choose good leaders.   Communicating for Change, who hosted the event, presented a series of new films and radio programs, based on the opinions, fears and hopes of people interviewed across the nation. The short dramas highlight the need for voters to overcome their fear of election violence, and apathy and mistrust that elections will probably be rigged, and actively choose the right leaders to bring about change in Nigeria.    "These films address people's misgivings and through drama, encourage people to exercise their right to vote in order to ensure development across Nigeria," said Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, CFC's Founder. "A non partisan media which provides a platform for discussion of issues of public concern in a fair and honest way, and which provides airtime for messages that educate the public to make the right decision is in the best interest of the media."   She challenged journalists to rise up and create strong platforms for socially relevant messages to guide Nigerians in the right direction and empower them to choose democracy and good governance over bribery, corruption, and dirty politics ahead of the 2011 nationwide elections.   In his presentation titled "Perspectives on the Role of the Media in Successful Elections", Professor Ralph Akinfeleye noted that the mass media is the engine oil that lubricates the heart of a sustainable democracy, saying media professionals must see themselves as trustees of the public trust and acceptance of anything short of this is a betrayal of trusteeship. He explained that the role of the media has gone beyond that of being a watchdog , setting the agenda, or checking and balancing on government to becoming the common carrier of ideas of election processes.   According to Akinfeleye, the media must monitor the government and politicians during elections, inform the people about election and political manifestoes and interpret electoral laws for better understanding of the voting public; journalists must adhere strictly to the professional ethical code of practice before, during and after elections.   Channels Chairman Mr. Mommoh who moderated the session, assured forum participants that broadcasters would provide the public with qualitative election debates in a bid to help people scrutinize political office aspirants ahead of the country-wide polls in April. He also called for an urgent passage of the Feedom of Information Bill, to enable the press perform its functions optimally.   CFC's films and radio programmes are part of a broader media campaign to increase awareness of and demand for effective government, an efficient electoral system, and improved public participation in the Nigerian socio-political process with the ultimate goal of contributing to the growth of democracy, good governance and economic and social development in Nigeria. The films and radio programs are being made available to ardio and television stations across the country at similar broadcasters forums being planned in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.   The dramas were produced after extensive audience research and in partnership with civil society (the Community Life Project, Development Communications Network, Media Rights Agenda, and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism) who provided guidance on content; the project was funded by the Ford Foundation.       About Communicating for Change Communicating for Change (CFC), one of Nigeria's leading development communications organisations, produces film, radio, television, print, and web based media to tell development stories from an African point of view, ensuring that audiences across the continent are empowered to make informed choices.   About Partners   Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)   Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is a registered not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation with social justice programs aimed at exposing corruption, regulatory failures and human rights abuses with the tool of investigative journalism.   Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS)   Development Communications (DEVCOMS) Network is a media-development, capacity-building non-governmental organization coordinated by experienced development journalists.   Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Media Rights Agenda (MRA) is a non-governmental organisation working for the promotion and protection of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria. It has Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.   Community Life Project (CLP) Community Life Project (CLP) is one of Nigeria's leading Non-Governmental Organisations promoting participatory grassroots development and community empowerment.    - Ends - For more information please contact Michael or Chichi at Communicating for Change, 55 Aba Johnson Crescent, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja – Lagos Tel: 0802 333 1045, 01-898 0164, Email: info@cfcworld.org, Website: www.cfcnigeria.org

 

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International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

Penplusbytes Turns 10 : Celebrating 10 years of driving excellence in ICT Journalism

The International Institute for ICT Journalism(penplusbytes) turns on 18th July 2011 over the past 10 years we have worked to our achieve our vision of DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN ICT JOURNALISM.

Working with our partners and network members we hope to accomplish our mission statement in the years to come :

To be the leader for developing ICT Journalism by:
a)    Empowering & Building the capacity of the media through cutting edge ICT skills
b)    Developing a vibrant research capability in ICT Journalism to support the Media and other Stakeholders
c)    Building a vibrant community of ICT journalists around the world.
d)    Advocating for media rights in the Information society

Watch out for key anniversary activities and join us to celebrate excellency in ICT Journalism.