.Blames Nigeria media over roles in compounding societal vices
The Keynote Speaker at the 2021 Yes Media Academy graduation ceremony in Ibadan, Dr. Francis Amenagbawon, has stressed the need for the media to retool itself to recreate a society that can bequeath good legacies to the next generation.
Amenagbawon, a lecturer at the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, while expressing his reservations on the increasing entry of untrained practitioners into the media industry, stressed the need to change the narrative.
He described the intervention of the Yes Media Academy and other credible institutions that specialize in the training of would-be journalists and professionals on the job as timely and apt.
Amenagbawon, in a lecture titled, ‘Training and retraining, an essential ingredient for enhancing professional competence in broadcasting,’ called for the continuous training of media practitioners for improved performance and productivity.
He said, “The media also plays major roles in compounding societal problems. In 1992, liberalisation of the radio came with broadcasters who doesn’t have knowledge of news broadcasting. The issue of commercialisation of the media is another problem. It is dangerous for a non expert to handle news. We have to keep training and retraining.
“The radio is so powerful; it can set a whole nation on fire. Recall that in the days of the military, coup plotters would run to Radio Nigeria to make a national broadcast and mothers would run from their trades to pick their children from school to avert danger. Such a situation should be handled with care.
“Untrained persons should not be allowed to practice journalism since unqualified persons were not allowed to practice medicine, law and other professions. Allowing people who were not trained to venture into media practice is dangerous and the effect is more devastating than allowing the quacks to practice medicine and engineering.”
Earlier in his address on the occasion, the Head of Yes Media Academy, Mr Kayode Joseph, said, “It’s been a period of rigorous class work involving both theory and practical sessions. Students had interaction with professionals in different areas of media practice ranging from broadcasting to journalism, advertising, public relations and public speaking. They also had opportunity to see and learn the use of studio equipment both for recording and live broadcast at Yes Media Academy Radio Studios. They were exposed to the operations of state of the art digital facilities.
“This has, no doubt, prepared them adequately enough to successfully cope with the different challenges that might confront them in this modern highly competitive broadcast terrain. They were able to experience the practicality of all they learnt in the studio management, elocution, production and presentation classes.
“The students were trained to market and advertise their programmes and to be sound in public relations. Those of them who might be interested in creative writing, printing and publishing were exposed to the techniques and technicalities. Communication and public speaking class came handy in imparting knowledge and skills of public speaking to the students.”
The Founder of Yes Media, Yemi Sonde, who described the occasion as another milestone in the history of the Academy, said, “A couple of months ago, on December 5, 2020 to be precise, we had the graduation ceremony of the first diet. We are gathered here again at this time to celebrate with the second diet students as they graduate. It had been three months of practical training to acquire professional skills in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, public relations and public speaking.
“You are definitely not leaving this Academy the same way you came. With the knowledge and skills imparted to you, I believe you are better equipped. A good number of Yes Media Academy’s Alumni are doing quite well in their media practice with the knowledge and skills acquired here. Some have become ace broadcasters. We are waiting eagerly to hear your own success stories too. This can only happen if you work hard and maintain professional standards.”
Special guests of honour on the occasion were Rev. Niyi Dahunsi, General Manager, Amuludun FM, Moniya, Ibadan; Alh. Bashir Aderemi Omotoso, General Manager, Premier FM, Jibowu Crescent, Iyaganku, Ibadan; Mr. Samuel Akintan, General Manager, 32 FM, Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan; and Mrs Bolatito Joseph of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan.
