News Investigators/ The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammad, has urged media organisations to explore strategic partnerships to enhance their operations.
He also charged the media organisations to leverage on technologies and embrace digital transformation to remain relevant, prosperous and compete globally.
Mr Mohammed stated this at the inauguration of the 80th General Assembly of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), on Tuesday in Bauchi.
The governor said that such partnership would enable the organisations to withstand hallenges posed by the current economic realities and maintain a smooth operation.
“While financial sustainability is important, it should never come at a cost of ethical journalism.
“The pursuit of profit must not override the principles that have guarded this profession for generations,” he said.
Mr Mohammed lauded the Chairman and of the BON for hosting the event in the state, adding that it was a testament to the enduring commitment of his administration to foster dialogue and development in the media space.
According to Mr Mohammed, broadcasting is more than just a profession but a calling, a responsibility and the fundamental pillar of governance and democracy, emphasising that voices of broadcasters inform, educate and unite the society.
“Our administration recognises this which is why we have invested heavily in the media sector ensuring that it remains a powerful tool for communication, development and accountability,” he said.
Prof. Umaru Pate, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal Unuversity Kashere (FUK), described digital transformation in the media as an era for the convergence of video and audio transmission of information.
He said that digital transformation has made it easier to watch films, television, listen to the radio and read newspapers on mobile phones.
“Funding has become a very serious issue for the media. Every media manager today is concerned on issues of how the media can survive.
“The normal models that are used through advertising, sponsorship are all collapsing because there are new platforms all over the place that are on YouTube and others.
“In media business, technology is the enabler, if you don’t have the technology, you won’t have the reach and that’s why in media business, we have the five Rs (Reach, Revenue, Reputation, Relevance and Resilience).
“Without technology, all the Rs could not be attained. This means you have to innovate, invest in technology for you to reach a very large audience across the globe,” he said.
Also speaking, Usman Shehu, the Bauchi Commissioners for Information, said the participants would deliberate on challenges affecting broadcasting organisations and proffer solutions to address emerging challenges in the media industry.
NAN
