NGE Laments Impact of Recession on Media Sector

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has lamented the negative impact of economic recession on media sector in Nigeria while calling for better working environment for journalism practice in the country.

This was part of the 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the 13^th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) 2017 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

Other points in the communiqué include:

• That the media industry has been and is still experiencing a crisis of recession, which presupposes that government would need to do more to ensure a conducive environment for the media to flourish.
• That there is a need for editors, while remaining professionally excellent; to also explore other revenue yielding ventures or business prospects to ensure that life after their editorial assignments is not nightmarish.
• That editors in addition to their editorial functions, should concern themselves with the business side of the media industry to ensure that their establishments thrive, and that their venture into business upon retirement will be knowledge-based and experience-enriched from their service years.

  

• That Mass Communication Departments and Journalism training institutions include business courses in their curricular so as to prepare future editors for the business of the media industry.
• That the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and other media stakeholders collaborate to ensure the setting up of newsprint production companies and resuscitation of the moribund one in Oku Iboku, Akwa Ibom State, to address the crisis of high cost of imported newsprints.
• Appeals to the Federal and state governments to pay outstanding gratuities and pensions of retired Editors and other classes of retirees to make life after retirement less stressful.
• The Guild commends the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their efforts in curtailing activities of insurgents, militants and other groups threatening peace and security of the country.
• The Guild regrets the encroachment on its land in Guzape, Abuja and appreciates the promise by the FCT Minister to redress the situation.
• The Guild commends its members for their cooperation and support, which led to the successful amendment of its Constitution.
• The Guild expresses gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his magnanimity in hosting ANEC back to back successfully and applauds the significant level of infrastructure development recorded in the state under his watch.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held its 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention 2017 at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from September 20-24, 2017.

The theme of the Conference, which was declared open by the Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, was: “Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business.”