The Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting journalists operating in the state, with a view to creating an enabling environment for them to discharge their duties professionally and in accordance with global best practices.
The state Governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, gave the assurance while addressing a one-day stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Katsina State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The engagement, held at the conference hall of Hayat Regency, Katsina, had as its theme: “Journalism, Democracy and Institutional Renewal.”
The governor Dikko Radda who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, said the state government is willing to support journalists to operate freely and professionally.
He also disclosed that the government would consider providing free medical check-ups for the working journalists in the state to enable them to regularly monitor their health status.
Governor Radda said he would present a proposal to that effect to the state executive for consideration.
The governor also spoke on the activities of social media handlers operating in the state, saying the state government would undertake a special screening exercise to ensure that operators meet the required professional standards.
While acknowledging the constitutional provision guaranteeing the establishment and operation of media organisations, Governor Radda called for greater unity and cooperation among journalists in the state.
He urged media practitioners to work together in promoting responsible journalism and contributing positively to the development of Katsina State.
Presenting a paper at the engagement, a lecturer from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr Mukhtar Alkasim, stressed the need to upgrade the information units of local government councils to full-fledged departments, similar to the structure existing at the state and federal levels.
Dr Alkasim expressed concern over the current status of information sections in local governments, which, he said, often operate merely as units and are treated as technical offices. The University lecturer argued that strengthening the information departments of local governments would improve public communication, transparency and effective dissemination of government policies and programmes at the grassroots.
Earlier, the Katsina State Chairman of the NUJ, Alhaji Aminu Garba Dandagoro, said the state council had commenced moves to incorporate operators of online media platforms into the union’s activities.
Aminu Dandagoro said the council was also planning to establish a dedicated media chapel for online media practitioners in the state.
He, however, stressed that only competent online media operators who meet the laid-down professional criteria would be considered for inclusion.
The stakeholders’ engagement attracted veteran journalists, practising journalists and operators of social media platforms, who exchanged views on ways of strengthening journalism and building a more united, professional and progressive media industry in Katsina State.
