BY CHIKA OKEKE, New Karu
The federal government has promised to exhibit high level of transparency in handling ecological issues, with a call on the media to present factual reports on Nigeria's environmental challenges.
Acting Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr Famous Eseduwo stated this in Nasarawa State Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a 2-day Capacity Building Workshop for EPO Correspondents and Press Unit, organised by EPO in collaboration with The Management House Africa.
Eseduwo, who was epresented by the Deputy Director, Press & Public Relations of EPO, Mrs Eno Olotu, was optimistic that the participants would gain new ideas and learn to cooperate with one another during the workshop.
He stated that the training provided an opportunity for the participants to acquire indepth knowledge in handling ecological and environmental crisis as well as sharpen their skills for effective reportage.
In her presentation titled, "Media Coverage: The Impact on an Organisation's Image and Operations", Media, Communications & Public Relatiions Enthusiast, Mrs Frances Ben-Agande encouraged environmental journalists to draw the attention of the global community on Nigeria's environmental issues in a favourable manner.
According to her, "It's high time we tell our stories in a favourable manner because journalists can change the narratives on environmental and ecological issues so as to project the image of the country favourably."
She enjoined journalists to embrace the tenets of the profession during reportage of environmental and other sensitive issues, adding that effective communication is the life-blood of any organisation.
The enthusiast said though the new media is the quickest means of spreading information, but must be updated regularly to avoid ambiguity, lamenting that most of the new media negate professionalism while disseminating information to the publics.
On his part, a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Dr Charles Obochi said that interview could unveil acurate and compelling information if conducted adequately.
The don added, "If its done poorly and carelessly, it may not only negatively affect the interviewee, but also compromise the truth in a way that is likely to undermine the entire monitoring activity and can tarnish credibility."
Speaking on "Methodologies and Techniques for Conducting Effective Media Interview", he stated that interviewes are part of the communication and political processes, likewise the legal system.
He said that good media interviews should be informative, provide opportunity for government and private sectors to spread their brand and should be unpredictable to some extent.
Obochi listed the various types of interview as phone/zoom, broadcast, in-person and written, noting that preparation is key to a successful interview.
The Program Manager of The Management House Africa, Mr Damian Omada lauded the media for their germane role in the society, saying that the essence of the workshop was to sharpen their skills.
About 18 participants that cut across the media, academia, government and private sectors participated in the workshop.
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