…Recommend strengthened legislation against media abuse, misinformation
By Godwin Amunde
Information managers of the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled states have resolved to make recommendations to both the Federal and State Governments to strengthen legislation against media abuse and misinformation.
They also recommend the need to counter and sustain media attacks on the opposition parties and collaborators within and outside Nigeria.
The recommendations are contained in a communique at the end of the inaugural meeting of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) with managers of information of APC-controlled states across the federation and hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
The communiqué from the meeting was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja by Dr. Salihu Lukman, Director-General of the PGF.
According to the communiqué, the meeting set up necessary strategies and frameworks for coordinated communication initiatives of governments at all levels to the public.
It also observed that “It is vital to create sustainable synergy amongst all the managers of information to holistically address the problems of falsehood, misinformation and media abuse in every dimension, by considering media plan and strategy as a strategic component of every government programme and projects.”
It said the meeting which reviewed the challenges of communicating and the initiatives of APC governments at both federal and state levels, considered proposals for effective communication and better public engagement.
It stressed that incorporating the necessary media plan and strategy will drive each government`s policy and programme.
“Accordingly, the meeting made the following recommendations for consideration/implementation by the APC-led Federal and State Governments,” the communiqué read.
“Increased commitment towards improving media and public engagement with necessary feedback through enhancing the relationship with the populace and incorporating the necessary media plan and strategy to drive each policy and programme.
“Sustained efforts to plan and implement media engagement strategies and programmes that will be sustainable and resilient to the impacts of media attacks by the opposition and their collaborators within and outside Nigeria, and the misinformation and media abuse associated with it.
“Strengthened legislation, strategies and action plan with consequences for media abuse and misinformation.”
The communique added that “Concerted engagement with critical media stakeholders and practitioners to have a strong and well-coordinated presence in the media space by ensuring appropriate synergy between Federal and State Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Local Governments, Development Partners, the Civil Society Partners, and the Private Sector.
“Strengthened advocacy to amplify justifications of government policies and popularise government achievements across the board. Agreed to meet quarterly to review progress and also build solidarity amongst managers of information at all levels in APC-led governments under the leadership of the Minister of Information and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lai Mohammed and Femi Adesina respectively.”
To address the challenge confronting the APC-led government, the information managers resolved that: “Increasing engagement with the citizenry is essential to ensure the emotional connection between government officials and the people that will change the existing negative perception and distrust within the shortest time.
“Effective media and citizens engagement with regular feedback is critical to communicating the performance of governments of APC at all levels in terms of presenting the factual and truthful narrative to the people.
“It is vital to create sustainable synergy amongst all the managers of information to holistically address the problems of falsehood, misinformation and media abuse in every dimension, by considering media plan and strategy as a strategic component of every government programme and projects.
“All stakeholders should consider the impacts of social media on perception management, particularly as it is currently being used for propagation of falsehood and hatred among Nigerians.
“Media funding is a major challenge because it is very capital intensive, so APC governments need to look for a balance between the huge funds required for it and the funding for other sectors.”
According to the communiqué, the PGF agreed to meet quarterly with managers of information of APC governments at federal and state levels to review progress.
It said such meetings would build solidarity among managers of information at all levels in APC-led governments under the leadership of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
