…As GM Urges Domestication

The General Manager, of Plateau-owned Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC),  Mr. Bulus Dabit has suggested the domestication of the Freedom of  Information (FoI) law in states to broaden awareness and maximise its benefits nationwide.

“Not much is known about the law outside Abuja and Lagos; steps must be taken to popularise it and make it effective outside such media hubs so that the nation can gain from its provisions,’’ Dabit said in Jos on Sunday.

He said that it was only when the public was fully aware of the provisions of the law and their rights therein, that they could insist on its application.

“Again, when we operate the law locally, we shall be able to remove all encumbrances when we seek information outside those major cities where the law is already taking full effect.

“From experience, the law appears only applicable if we are approaching federal officers. This should not be the case.’’

He likened the FoI law to the Child Rights Act, stressing that the latter was gradually getting wider national acceptance because most state governments had domesticated its provisions.

Dabit, however, said that the FoI law would only serve national interest if journalists respected the ethics of the profession.

“Every profession has its bad eggs, but the media must be very conscious of its image by respecting basic ethics so that they are taken seriously.

“Conscious efforts must be made to rid the profession of the bad elements to enable journalists to carry out their role of educating and informing the public to bring enlightened opinion to bear on national issues.’’

Dabit also reacted to the recent boycott of Plateau State government’s activities by the state’s Correspondent Chapel on the allegation that Gov. Jonah Jang was not media-friendly.

“The governor is media-friendly. Like every other leader, he knows that he needs the media to reach out to the general public and boost participation in government activities.

“I think the problem is that journalists insist that the governor must handle everything himself. There are several officers expected to handle publicity – the Director of Press Affairs, the Commissioner of Information and the Special Adviser on Media Affairs.

“It is not every day that the governor will be available to address every information need of the newsmen.’’

He also rejected suggestions that the state government depended totally on the state-owned PRTVC and the Nigeria Standard newspapers as its only news outlets.

“I agree that the average Plateau person is obsessed with PRTVC, but it is not possible for us to depend solely on the state-owned media outfits for our entire publicity requirement because we must reach out to the entire nation and even beyond.

“If we depend solely on our local media outfits, we shall be clapping with one hand and that is why the state government is investing so much on NTA and others.’’

He said that it was to also involve other media houses in publicity of the state government’s activities that the governor directed all commissioners to address journalists on their activities.

“We expect the ministerial briefings to create a solid avenue for interaction between journalists and government officials. These commissioners are spokespersons for the governor and should be seen and treated as such by the press.’’

Dabit urged journalists to build bridges toward a united and prosperous Nigeria, and advised them against allowing themselves to be used as pawns by groups or individuals pursuing self-serving interests.