Practitioners and professionals have defined the role of the media at the National Conference as that of a public representative and observer with the power to shape public opinion.
Speaking at the 4th convocation lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, in Lagos, the speakers outlined the expected roles of the media as the conference begins.
The event, which held at the school auditorium in Ogba, Lagos, presented the graduating students of the institution with an opportunity to get valuable tips from veterans, as they prepare to render services to the society as professional journalists.
The guest lecturer and Chairman/CEO of Channels Television, Mr John Momoh, who was represented by the Head of Legal Department at the station, Mrs Adeola Olumeyo, said that the media would not be objective and may be forced to choose sides if it becomes a participant in the discussions.
He urged media organisations to focus on driving support for issues that affect the Nigerian people as a unit.
The Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, however, was of the view that the cause of last Saturday’s Immigration job test tragedy, which claimed the lives of young job seekers in different stadia across the country should form part of the discussion at the conference.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared open the National Conference at the National Judiciary Institute in Abuja on Monday with 492 delegates comprising the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, professional groups, political representatives, and civil society groups amongst others.
The National Conference is meant to address all matters on how to resolve the country’s constitutional challenges, except issues bothering on the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation.
