Media
Russia’s Sputnik trains 15 African journalists to ensure professionalism
Russian News Agency, Sputnik, has trained 15 journalists from some African countries including Nigeria in furtherance of its commitment to promoting professionalism.
The training is part of Sputnik’s Pro Educational Project for young journalists.
The training is coming as part of Sputnik’s moves to establish a new operational hub in Africa and to strengthen cooperation with the continent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training which is holding in Moscow from Oct. 18 to Oct. 21 aims at creating a platform for journalists to share their experiences and challenges as well as discuss ways to overcome them.
In an interview with newsmen, Sputnik’s Director of International Cooperation, Vasily Pushkov said that journalists and media operations worldwide were facing similar problems, hence Sputnik’s initiative to create a common platform where such problems could be discussed.
According to Pushkov, more than 90 journalists from many countries have benefitted from the Sputnik Pro News Generation Programme for young journalists.
He added that the training is helping to make them better professionals.
“Our project, Sputnik Pro, is a programme that we launched many years ago specifically for young journalists and foreign students looking to become journalists.
“The idea is that the problem that the journalist in Russia is facing is completely the same for each and every country in the world; for each and every journalist in the world.
“So, the idea was – why not establish a system of mutual experience exchange, discussion platform for journalists from different countries – to create a united front towards solving those problems.
“So far, we have had participants from 90 countries over the years,” Pushkov said.
He said that the training would be a mutually beneficial 21st-century kind of cooperation as Russia “looks to strengthen cooperation with Africa across various sectors.
“It will be mutually beneficial because that is the only way such cooperation can work in this 21st century,” Pushkov said.
On Strengthening Media cooperation with Africa, the director pointed out that establishing an operational hub in Africa is, for Sputnik, a development in the right direction as it will enable the agency to get first-hand news directly from Africa and vice versa.
“Right now, we are in talks with our colleagues in Ethiopia about creating our new editorial office in Addis Ababa which basically will be our new central operations (area) for the region.
“We will be employing correspondents in order to, first of all, bring more news about the continent, about the region for our Russian audience as well as our worldwide audience.
“This is the start of relaunching the programme after two years because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
“We had a dedicated Sputnik programme for Africa before the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pushkov added.
Ms Ekatrina Torubarova, Head of the Department for Public Diplomacy at Rossotrudnichestvo, the financial partner in the training, said the programme was organised to enhance professionalism among journalists globally.
“This programme is being operated under the Presidential Decree according to the News Generation Programme.
“It provides a unique opportunity to enhance professional growth. We have been running this programme since 2015 with Sputnik, and we hope that you will leave enhanced.
“We also hope that you will fall in love with Moscow, Russia, and become great friends of Russia,” Torubarova said.
NAN reports that the participating African journalists were trained in short Masterclasses on Photography in the modern media, writing skills in a news agency, and practice-based media games, among other things.
(NAN)
Russia’s Sputnik trains 15 African journalists to ensure professionalism
The Federal Government has commended the media for the effective coverage of the ongoing Ministerial Sectoral Update to mark the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the commendation in an opening remark on day-three of the sectoral update on Friday in Abuja.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to Idris, the event gives the media the opportunity to engage the ministers and seek clarification on policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
“Today is the continuation of the sectoral briefing that we are getting from the various ministries.
“Yesterday, about seven ministers were here to present before you, not just their vision, but also their achievements, in the last one year of the Tinubu’s administration.
“Let me thank the distinguished members of the media for all that you have done. We have seen an extensive coverage of the proceedings here yesterday and the day before.
“You have the opportunity to ask questions, make comments and useful contributions to this briefing going on,” Idris stressed.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the morning session is expected to have presentations from the Ministries of Health, Justice, Police Affairs, Power and Works.
The Ministers of Women’s Affairs, Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Foreign Affairs will feature in the afternoon session.
(NAN)
UN emphasises importance of press freedom as Israel shuts Al Jazeera
The United Nations has emphasised the importance of press freedom following Israel’s decision to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in the country.
“We stand firmly against any decision to roll back freedom of the press,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York.
“A free press provides an invaluable service to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet had unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.
The move came after Israeli lawmakers approved a new media law widely referred to as the “Al Jazeera law” that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.
Al Jazeera decried the Israeli decision and vowed to pursue “all avenues” available to protect its rights and employees.
(dpa/NAN)
NHRC reaffirms commitment to protecting press freedom
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to safeguard press freedom as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of any democracy.
He also assured of the promotion and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians including the right to freedom of expression and the press in all circumstances.
In a message to mark the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, Ojukwu noted that he premised his assurance on the provisions of the NHRC Act 1995 (as amended), wherein the Commission is mandated to deal with all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights guaranteed by all the Constitution of Nigeria and human rights legal instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
He highlighted the crucial role played by journalists in birthing and defending democracy, projecting government policies, providing critical information that benefits the masses and even holding government accountable to its responsibilities.
Ojukwu noted that journalists in Nigeria face numerous challenges ranging from intimidation, unlawful arrests, attacks and even deaths.
According to him, these unfortunate incidents undermine the journalists’ ability to carry out their work effectively.
He added that the 2024 theme for World Press Freedom Day “A Press for the Planet: Journalists in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” was apt.
He noted that journalists and the media work tirelessly for the survival of the earth and where the earth is in environmental crisis, journalists also face environmental crisis and must see how they can contribute to resolving the environmental crisis in which they work.
The executive secretary urged stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in the fight to protect and promote press freedom in Nigeria.
The World Press Freedom is marked annually on May 3.
(NAN)
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