Radda Assures Katsina Journalists of Continued Support, Cooperation

Govt invests N1.2bn in KTTV upgrade, plans new broadcast infrastructure

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has assured journalists in the state of his administration’s continued support and cooperation, describing the media as a critical partner in governance and development.

The governor gave the assurance on Saturday through the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, who represented him at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council.

The engagement, held at Hayat Regency Suites, Katsina, had the theme: “Journalism, Democracy and Institutional Renewal: Charting a New Course for the Katsina State NUJ.”

Zango said Governor Radda attached great importance to the programme but could not attend personally because he was engaged in another important function.

He congratulated the newly elected NUJ executive and commended the council for organising the stakeholders’ engagement, which he said provided an opportunity to strengthen relations between the government, journalists and other stakeholders.

According to him, the state government appreciates the role journalists play in keeping citizens informed about government policies and programmes, as well as communicating the concerns and aspirations of the people to government.

“We are aware of all the efforts and contributions you are making in ensuring that the public is well informed and enlightened about the activities of government in the state, as well as informing government of the aims and aspirations of the people,” he said.

The commissioner assured journalists that the Radda administration would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the media and would consider issues raised by the NUJ within the limits of available resources.

N1.2bn invested in KTTV

Zango disclosed that the Katsina State Government had invested more than N1.2 billion in upgrading the Katsina State Television (KTTV) as part of efforts to strengthen state-owned media organisations.

He said the investment had provided the station with modern broadcasting technology aimed at improving its capacity to disseminate information to residents.

The government, he added, had also invested in other media infrastructure, including equipment powered by solar energy, to improve the operational capacity of state-owned media outlets.

Zango further disclosed that the government was establishing additional broadcast infrastructure in the state, saying a contract had already been awarded for one of the projects.

He said the initiatives were designed to ensure that residents received timely and reliable information on government activities and other issues affecting the state.

The commissioner described information as an important component of governance and development, noting that the media had a responsibility to inform, educate and entertain the public.

Radda administration backs journalists’ welfare

The commissioner also expressed the government’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of journalists in the state.

He supported a proposal for regular medical screening for journalists, saying the demanding nature of the profession made routine health checks important.

Zango said journalists should be encouraged to undergo regular medical examinations, including blood pressure checks, to detect possible health problems early.

He said the welfare of journalists should remain part of the broader efforts to strengthen the media profession.

Govt to screen online media practitioners

Zango also disclosed plans for the screening of online and social media practitioners operating as media organisations in Katsina.

He said the exercise was aimed at identifying genuine practitioners and promoting professionalism, accountability and responsible information dissemination.

The commissioner said the growing influence of online media had made it necessary for stakeholders to develop mechanisms that would encourage practitioners to understand journalism ethics and relevant laws.

He, however, noted that the growth of new media could not simply be ignored or excluded from the wider media environment.

Zango cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to disseminate information, opinions and ideas.

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He said while the constitutional right to disseminate information must be respected, practitioners should also be encouraged to adhere to professional ethics, accuracy, verification and accountability.

Commissioner cautions journalists on ethics

Zango urged journalists to be more careful when dealing with information obtained from government officials, particularly during informal conversations.

He said journalists should establish whether an interaction was an official interview before publishing information obtained from it.

He also emphasised the importance of attribution, verification and seeking clarification where necessary.

The commissioner cited instances where information shared during private conversations was subsequently published without proper context or attribution.

He also appealed to government officials to improve access to information and maintain professional relationships with journalists.

Don’t undermine media role, NUJ tells members

Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Katsina State Council, Comrade Aminu Garba Dandagoro, said the engagement was organised to enable stakeholders to reflect on the future of journalism and the institutional strength of the union.

He said the media remained a critical pillar of democracy, with responsibilities that went beyond reporting events.

According to him, journalists have a duty to inform citizens, promote peace, demand institutional accountability, protect the public interest and provide a credible platform for constructive dialogue.

Dandagoro said the strength of the NUJ directly affected the quality of journalism and, by extension, the development of society.

He appreciated Governor Radda for the support and cooperation his administration had continued to extend to journalists and media organisations in the state.

The NUJ chairman also called on online media practitioners to cooperate with the council in its planned registration process.

He said the initiative was aimed at creating an organised and inclusive media environment where genuine online practitioners could operate while adhering to professional standards.

Professor calls for professional recognition

Professor Mukhtar El-Kasim of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, described the challenges confronting journalism in Nigeria as a matter requiring urgent attention.

He said the media remained indispensable to democratic governance and national development but had not received the institutional recognition commensurate with its importance.

El-Kasim called for greater unity among journalists and their professional organisations, saying internal divisions had weakened efforts to address challenges confronting the profession.

He also advocated greater recognition of journalism as a profession, alongside other established professions such as medicine, law and teaching.

Lugga seeks protection of journalism

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, Wazirin Ilimin Ƙasar Hausa, said the proliferation of social media had made it increasingly difficult for members of the public to distinguish between professional journalists and individuals who merely disseminate information online.

He urged the NUJ to strengthen mechanisms for identifying genuine journalists and protecting the profession from infiltration.

Lugga also called for strict adherence to professional ethics to ensure that only credible and verified information was disseminated to the public.

In his remarks, Alhaji Usman Bello Ƙanƙara, Kanwan Katsina and Hakimin Ƙetare, congratulated the newly elected NUJ executive and urged it to build on the achievements of the previous administration.

He commended the immediate past leadership for its contributions to the development of journalism in the state.

The event was attended by journalists, academics, government officials, traditional rulers and representatives of other stakeholders.

The Permanent Secretary, Katsina State Ministry of Information and former NUJ Chairman, Comrade Tukur Hassan Ɗan Ali, delivered the vote of thanks.