The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on state governments in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones to jointly tackle the security challenges in their states.
Arising from a two-day conference with the theme “The Media as Partners in Regional Development”, held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, weekend, the conference in a communiqué signed by NGE President, Eze Anaba and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, also tasked editors to play down on dissemination of information and messages of identified self-seeking groups in the zones promoting insecurity and violence.
The communiqué, which was organised by the NGE in collaboration with the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and the government of Imo State, targeted 54 editors and media executives in South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
The conference tasked the media in the region to employ investigative and development journalism, as well as constructive dialogue to support the revival of the unity in the zones.
“The media should foster a culture of continuous innovation to reposition themselves at the forefront of digital transformation, rather than resisting it.
“The governors of the zones should re-enact the synergy, cohesion and unity, which formed the bedrock of the development of critical infrastructure in the past.
“Editors and media executives should promote investigative and development journalism as well as promote constructive dialogue to revive the unity in the zones”, the communiqué added.
It also urged the media to always prioritise children’s welfare in reporting development, and hold states, which have refused to domesticate the Child Rights Act accountable.
