ABUJA – Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, the President, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), has called on broadcasters to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Bamgbose made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at a workshop organised for members of the union.
He said that the broadcast media must play its role effectively as the country approached election year.
“The electronic media have a general responsibility to promote enabling and democratic conditions and atmosphere for the conduct of elections.
“In doing so, they must report election-related processes accurately, factually, fairly, as well as provide enlightenment programmes for the public,’’ he said.
He said that the primary objective of the workshop was to sharpen the skills of members as content providers and presenters.
According to Bamgbose, the broadcast media will through seminars and workshops, overcome some of the challenges it is facing.
He said the challenges would be a thing of the past if broadcasters properly followed the guidelines and ethics of the profession.
Bamgbose said similar workshops would be held in other parts of the country, adding that more producers, presenters and their chief executive officers are expected to attend.
Mr Mourtada Deme, the UNDP-DGP Project Director, noted that professionals in the broadcast media had the responsibilities of disseminating information and enlightening the public through their various programmes.
“ You are professionals with immediate access to millions of people through wave lengths without hindrance, and whatever you say on air significantly influences public perceptions and actions.’’
The noted that the various stakeholders in the country have interrelated roles to play during elections.
Deme also said that the Democratic Governance for Development Project in Nigeria and its international partners were happy to work closely with RATTAWU to equip its members.
“Promoting the Role of Broadcast Professionals and Practitioners in a Peaceful, Free and Fair Elections’’ is the theme of the workshop. (NAN)