By Olukayode Babalola
Lafia – Labaran Maku, former Minister of Information and National Orientation has lauded objectivity, fairness, neutrality and openness of the Precious Frequency Modulated (FM) 102.5 of Radio Nigeria in Lafia.
He made the commendation on the occasion marking the 15th anniversary of the radio station held in Lafia on Tuesday.
According to Maku, Precious FM is worthy of praise for its objectivity and fairness in its reportage and providing equal opportunities to all Nigerians for dialogue on issues of national development.
Maku attributed many Nigerians’ penchant for news coverage by foreign media houses about the happenings in Nigeria to improved content and balanced reportage by the overseas media.
The former information minister emphasised the need for the local media to adhere to the principles of impartiality and fairness in production of their local contents.
He said more Nigerians would be interested in listening to media houses committed to the highest standards of professionalism.
“I must commend Precious FM for being open to all Nigerians.
‘’Any radio station or media house that is not open to everyone will not enjoy the goodwill and trust of the people.
‘’That is why some Nigerians are hooked to the Cable News Network (CNN), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and others.
“It is because those stations are telling us more of the happenings in our own country and for these reasons; many Nigerians hooked to these foreign stations.
“It is important that all radio stations in the country are open to all members of the public and all shades of views so that Nigerian public listen to our own radio stations.
“It is better for our society, it is better for our government.
“There must be a contention of ideas. A media house must be a place for everybody.
‘’I am not saying we stop listening to foreign media outlets but it is very crucial to maintain the liberal standard that has been established,” he said.
Through openness, Nigeria will move forward and citizens free to express themselves and be given fair coverage.They must have the opportunity to educate themselves and be educated.”
Also speaking, Mr Sylvanus Namang, the Zonal Director of North-Central Zone, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), described the establishment of FM stations across the country as “a step in the right direction”.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to enhance the productivity the stations through the provision of adequate manpower.
“I want to specially appeal that the Federal Government pay special attention to the FM stations, especially in this digital age,’’ he said.
In his remark, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, General Manager of the station, commended the public for identifying with the station.
He noted that the establishment of the station was borne out of the desire of the Federal Government to connect the nation for unity, peace and national integration.
“You can only unite the nation if we are united in information and communication.
‘’That is why we are bound by our professional ethics to be fair, objective and allow diverse views so that the people accept that we are unbiased,” he said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Radio Nigeria Precious FM, Lafia was established by the Federal Government in 2003. (NAN)