MEDIA ETHICS: A NECESSARY TOOL FOR REPORTING VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA – CATHOLIC DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Resolutions issued at the end of the First Plenary of the Association of Diocesan and Religious Directors of Social Communications of the Catholic Church in Nigeria held at Pinnacle Hotel, Sokoto, Sokoto State, from 13–16 March, 2017

1. Preamble

We, the Diocesan and Religious Directors of Social Communications of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, held our First Plenary at Pinnacle Guest Inn and Resorts, Sokoto, in the Diocese of Sokoto, from 13–16 March, 2017. It featured Conference Presentations and workshops. After reflecting on the papers presented by a team of Resource Persons on Information Management, the Challenges of Children in Crisis Zones, the Ethics of Media Reporting in Conflict Zones and Gender Issues in Conflicts in Nigeria, we were better informed to push the frontiers of responsible reportage as Catholic Diocesan and Religious  Directors’ of Communication in Nigeria.

2. Appreciation/Felicitation

We thank God for bringing us together during this season of grace in which Catholics rededicate themselves to the Annual Lenten Observances of prayer, fasting and alms giving. We are grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis for his 51st World Communications Day Message tilted: "Fear Not, for I am with you (Is 43:3): Communicating Hope and Trust in our Time" in which he describes all Christians as that mill which daily grinds out "information with the aim of providing rich fare for those with whom they communicate." He also assures that putting fear aside, "By 'the power of the Holy Spirit' we can be witnesses and 'communicators' of a new and redeemed humanity 'even to the ends of the earth'” (Acts 1:7-8).

Our sentiments of gratitude go to our Bishop Chairman, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah for his fatherly care and encouragement. We offer special thanks to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, the Mos Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, whose hospitality we have enjoyed since we arrived Sokoto. His physical presence at the Opening Mass and Ceremonies plus the well packaged presentations by a cream of experts from the journalism profession and the academia he organised has not left us in doubt about his magnanimity, sense of orderliness and care for this noble association. We are equally grateful to the executive Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for gracefully receiving us in the Government House.

We salute the National Chapter of the Catholic Artists Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN) for producing a documentary film on the life and times of the Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie to mark his 80^th birthday at the instance of the Directorate of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) which was premiered in Lagos on February 24, 2017. We also congratulate his Eminence on his 80^th birthday praying God to bless him.

Our felicitation goes to: the President of SIGNIS, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Walter Ihejirika on his recent elevation to the rank of a professor of Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Faniran on his promotion as Deputy Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Rivers State and Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Musa on his elevation to the rank of Lecturer 1 in CIWA. We identify with the Centre for the Study of African Culture and Communication (CESACC) of CIWA for debuting a PhD programme in Pastoral Communication which starts by October 2017. This bold step will no doubt add colour to the communication apostolate in Nigeria, the African sub-region and beyond.      

3. Our Common Task

In his 51st World Communications Day Message for 2017, Pope Francis mandates that we should "Communicate Hope and Trust in our Time" - As our common task, this mandate entails that we: 

1. "Encourage everyone to engage in constructive forms of communication that reject prejudice towards others;"        

2. "Foster a culture of encounter, helping all of us to view the world around us with realism and trust;"                                     3. "Work at overcoming that feeling of growing discontent and resignation that can at times generate apathy, fear or the idea that evil has no limits;"                       

4. "Search for an open and creative style of communication that never seeks to glamourize evil but instead to concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach on the part of its recipients;"                                                    

5. "Offer the people of our time storylines that are at heart 'good news'” by developing confidence in the seed of the kingdom at the same time relying on the Holy Spirit.                                              

As game-changers in a society that is saturated with the sights and sounds of violence in the news, we  resolve that: 

1. Training or ongoing formation should be given to media workers in Nigeria on the rudiments of objective reportage in such a manner that insurgency is not glorified above the unity and integrity of the nation. 

2. Government agencies and regulatory bodies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council should ensure responsible reportage in Nigeria and at the same time ensure responsible information-sharing among the citizenry.

3. Each Archdiocese or Diocese is encouraged to produce a Child Protection Act or Policy as government is advised to partner with the United Nations in confronting challenges faced by children in crisis zones.                                               4. The Church and State should partner to further confront the stereotype of women and children especially, IDPs, refugees, and Child Soldiers in Nigeria.

5. Women are the worst victims of all violence and crisis situations. They contribute so much to the economy but are not allowed to take charge. For the status quo to change, there must be education and empowerment as well as legislation and enforcement of laws protecting women by the government and relevant institutions.    

6. Objectivity and the advancement of truth are crucial to peace and social development of any society. As such, media practitioners and all stakeholders must ensure fairness in their reportage.                             

7. The proprietors of media organisations should rise up to their responsibilities of paying their employees as media workers and Catholic journalists are urged to resist the brown-envelope syndrome so as to ensure professionalism in their profession.  

4. Upcoming Events

The National Convention for Catholic Media Practitioners (CAMP) comes up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from August 1-4, 2017. The convention is aimed at enhancing cooperation among lay Catholic journalists. It is hoped that the convention will enhance cooperation and active participation among journalists.

In like manner, Signis Nigeria is organising a Catholic Film Festival this year in Enugu in October. Also, Aba Diocese, Abia State is hosting a SIGNIS workshop on New Media Education for Catholic Youths in Nigeria from April 24-28, 2017.

In the same vein, all is now set for Signis World Congress which holds in Quebec, Canada from 19-21 June, 2017. The congress which takes place every three years affords all Catholic Communicators the opportunity of interacting with one another from every continent and also crossbreeds ideas.

5. State of the Nation

We thank God for bringing President Muhammadu Buhari back from his medical vacation in the UK. While we pray for his total recovery, we congratulate Nigerians for the cooperation they gave the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo while the President was away. This is indeed a demonstration of our desire for a better Nigeria.

We salute the Federal Government for the huge success in the war against terror in the North-East and efforts at nipping the Southern Kaduna killings in the bud. It is hoped that the tempo would be sustained for a secure nation and the advancement of peace in Nigeria. 

The naira is gradually picking up against the dollar. This is good news not only for our economy but for our people who toil hard for their daily bread. We urge the government to expedite action on strengthening the naira, wooing investors and getting an economic team in place to boost our economy. It is important to note that the days of relying on a mono-economy are over. As a nation which has relied so much on oil, we can learn from the Asian Tigers by way of diversifying the economy for utmost results.                                                             

6. Prayer and Conclusion

We place our nation under God trusting in his benevolence and guidance. Once again, recalling the words of the Lord "Fear not, for I am with you," we entrust our future into the hands of God. With this, our faith in God is not undaunted in this difficult task of reportage.                   

As Catholic communicators and media workers in Nigeria, we rededicate ourselves to the common good at the same time entrusting our work to his care. Conscious of the privileged position we occupy in the Church, we pledge our fidelity to the truth for which Christ lived and died while affirming that                                                    media ethics is a powerful tool for reporting violence in Nigeria. We pray that God guides our country in the way of peace, prosperity and progress. May the lessons of Lent and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary spur us on now and always!

Very Rev. Fr. Pius Ukor                                                                      Sr. Eunice Olusola Ikufisile, OSF

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National President                                                                                    National Secretary