The 6th annual lecture of the National Broadcasting Commission is underway in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The guest lecturer is Nigeria’s first professor of Mass Communications, Professor CHINYERE STELLA OKUNNA, who teaches at the Nnmadi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
In her opening remarks; Professor OKUNNA highlighted the strength of the media, which has even increased with the social media.
Professor OKUNNA said the coming of the new media would not wipe out the traditional media, but provides opportunity for cheaper and wider reach of media products.
On the digitization of broadcasting; Professor OKUNNA said there are still gaps that the National Broadcasting Commission need to fill.
Having laid the foundation of her presentation, Professor OKUNNA then observed that the media coverage of Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria has not been adequate.
Professor OKUNNA said the media need to go more to expose who are not complying with the Covid19 protocal and also discourage stigmatization.
She said the media can achieve that through behavioural change communication, with the strengthening of the NBC regulation.
Professor OKUNNA observed that people across Nigeria are going about without observing guidelines in public places and worship centres.
However; the Chair of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, SA’A ABUBAKAR; said it was not true that the media had not done with in the coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
SA’A ABUBAKAR also called on the NBC to go beyond regulating, and also support the media with incentives that would enhance the duties of the broadcasters.