By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
JALINGO (PRECISE POST) – Mr William Ayoosu, the Publisher of Worldview magazine, on Thursday said that lack of patronage of privately owned media organisations in the State and other unhealthy activities are posing major threats to the survival of these media organisations in Taraba State.
Mr Ayoosu disclosed this during the inauguration of new officials of the Worldview magazine Chapel officials in Jalingo.
He said that the attitude of some public figures who take adverts and fail to pay for it and those who are so reluctant to take adverts affects the smooth running of private media organisations.
Ayoosu said that some news makers go to extra lengths to frustrate operations of private media organisations when they do stories that supposedly expose irregularities in government.
He urged more communication graduates to avail themselves to practice the profession rather than running to other sectors that are perceived to be more lucrative.
The state Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists Mr Mathew Eliud Jen in his remarks said that contrary to held opinion at some quarters, Taraba State NUJ council is made up of core professionals who uphold the ethics of the profession in the highest esteem.
“I was really pissed off when I heard that a highly renowned figure in the media landscape made a categorical statement alleging that Taraba State has the highest number of quack journalists. This person spoke without reference to any study carried to that effect.
“Let me say that as a council, we recently conducted screening of all members of NUJ in the State and can say authoritatively that all the members are duly qualified in all ramifications in line with the constitution of the union. Like every other state, we are facing the challenges posed by the new media where everyone with a smart phone now acts as a journalist.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on the state government to support the efforts of these media organisations through patronage. For any state to grow, we must have discerning voices who will speak truth to the government and provide objective criticism” Jen said.
Our Correspondent reports that Mr Yerima Akila and Mr Muhammed Tikka were elected as the Chairman and vice Chairman respectively, while Christiana Babayo and Daniel Mtindiga were elected as Secretary and assistant respectively, among other positions.
