By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Katsina State Government has renewed its commitment to supporting journalists and creating a conducive environment for media practitioners to operate freely, professionally and in line with global best practices.
The government also announced plans to introduce a special screening exercise for social media operators in the state as part of efforts to promote professionalism and responsible information dissemination.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda disclosed the plans 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, was themed: “Journalism, Democracy and Institutional Renewal.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, Governor Radda assured journalists of his administration’s readiness to support the media in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities without unnecessary restrictions.
According to the governor, a vibrant and responsible media remains essential to democratic governance, accountability and sustainable development.
Radda further disclosed that his administration would consider providing free medical check-ups for working journalists across the state to enable them to monitor their health regularly.
He said he would present a proposal for the initiative to the State Executive Council for consideration.
The governor also turned attention to the growing influence of social media operators, saying the state government would conduct a special screening exercise to determine whether operators meet required professional standards.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to establish and operate media organisations, Radda urged journalists and other media practitioners to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in their work.
He called for greater unity among journalists in Katsina, urging them to deploy their platforms towards promoting peace, development and the collective interest of the state.
Speaking at the event, a lecturer from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr Mukhtar Alkasim, called for the upgrading of information units in local government councils into full-fledged departments.
Alkasim expressed concern that information sections at the grassroots level were often treated merely as technical units, unlike the structure obtainable at the state and federal levels.
He argued that upgrading the units would strengthen communication between government and citizens, improve transparency and ensure effective dissemination of government policies and programmes at the grassroots.
Earlier, the Katsina State NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Garba Dandagoro, disclosed that the council had commenced moves to bring operators of online media platforms into the activities of the union.
He said the council was also planning to establish a dedicated media chapel for online media practitioners in the state.
Dandagoro, however, stressed that admission would not be automatic, noting that only competent online media operators who satisfy the prescribed professional requirements would be considered.
The stakeholders’ engagement brought together veteran journalists, practising media professionals and social media operators, who discussed ways of strengthening journalism, improving professional standards and building a more united and progressive media industry in Katsina State.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for cooperation between government and the media, as stakeholders stressed that professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism remain critical to the growth and development of the state.
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