Uzodimma proposes national media centre in honour of Raymond Dokpesi
- Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma wants a national media research centre named after late broadcaster Raymond Dokpesi.
- He said the best tribute to Dokpesi is protecting press freedom and resisting the urge to treat journalists as enemies.
- The proposal came at the third Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja on Sunday.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma don propose a national media centre to honour late broadcasting pioneer Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, saying e go serve as a hub for research into how journalism can drive economic growth and national development.
He make the proposal on Sunday in Abuja while delivering the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, wey Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc organise. The lecture theme na "Media, Democratic Consolidation and Development".
Dokpesi found DAAR Communications, wey launch RayPower 100.5 FM on September 1, 1994, and Television Authority (AIT) in December 1996, helping to open up Nigeria airwaves when broadcasting mostly government-controlled.
Uzodimma say friends and associates of the late media owner suppose lead the move to build the centre, and e promise to champion the campaign himself.
"I shall be prepared to lead in the campaign for the establishment of this centre," he talk.
Press freedom and the price of scrutiny
The governor talk say the best way to keep Dokpesi legacy no be just to remember am, but to protect the freedom wey he help to expand.
He beg governments for all levels to stop seeing media as enemy, talk say public officials suppose accept scrutiny as part of holding power for democracy.
He also warn say press freedom alone no mean say journalism go responsible. Ownership interests, political ties, poor pay, delayed salaries and safety of reporters all dey put pressure on editorial independence, he talk.
Uzodimma note say censorship fit happen quietly, without any formal order, when journalists dey fear arrest, station closures or licence withdrawals. He cite the 2019 suspension of AIT licence by National Broadcasting Commission, wey he talk say later restore after legal challenge.
He call for partnership involving government, media owners, advertisers, technology companies and the public to find funding models wey go keep newsrooms independent.
Elections, AI and fake news
With another general election cycle approaching, the governor talk say artificial intelligence and social media don make am harder for citizens to tell real journalism from fabrication. He talk say the ability to post to large audience no mean say person be journalist, and say verification remain the core of the profession.
He also beg reporters make dem no campaign for candidates or parties, talk say balance no mean say dem go treat evidence and baseless allegations as equal.
Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, chairman of DAAR Communications, talk say the lecture series set up to build on him father legacy rather than just mourn am. He talk say him father believe democracy no fit take root without free and courageous media, and warn say fake news and divisive narratives don raise the stakes for established newsrooms.
Archbishop Emeritus John Onaiyekan and NIPR President Dr Ike Neliaku dey among those at the event.
What happens next: The media centre na only proposal for now. Uzodimma talk say he go lead the push for its creation, but no timeline, funding plan or location don announce.
