NUJ Canvasses Training For Journalists

The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), has called for greater incentives for capacity development and training
of journalists to enable them impact maximally in their professional practice.

Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ, Mr. Opaka
Dokubo made the call while addressing visiting students and staff of the Mass
Communcation Department of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port
Harcourt at the NUJ Secretariat.

Dokubo, who was represented by the state Secretary of the
union, Stanley Job Stanley, said the enormity of the task before journalists
requires that they are better informed and trained to address critical issues
in the society.

He pointed out that the public rely on journalists for
information, adding that journalists that are not properly trained will end up
as agents of misinformation.

Describging journalism as a noble profession, he called on
journalists to be courageous in the discharge of their duties, irrespective of
the hazards involved, and urged students of journalism to equip themselves with
the tenets of the profession so that they can excel in their career.

In his remarks, a lecturer in Graphic Arts and Design at
RIVAS, and head of the team, Mr. Njoku Justice, said the visit was to avail the
students the opportunity to assess in practical terms some fundamental
components of Mass Communication.

He stressed the need for improvement in media research,
especially in the area of Development Communication, and noted that funding or
scholarly research in media will help to proffer solution to some societal
problems.

He called on the government and relevant agencies and
organizations to assist in the funding of academic research.

One of the students who spoke with The Tide, Eze Chile,
thanked the NUJ for the opportunity, stating that the visit will enhance the
practical aspect of their academic training.

Taneh Beemene