Media experts, civil society organizations, and academia, among other experts in the development sector, have converged at the maiden media development conference organized by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
The 2023 Media and Development Conference themed “Bridging Democracy, Innovation and Media Sustainability in West Africa” is a three-day event that drew participants from nook and cranny in the country and West Africa.
The CJID Board Chairman, Prof. Umaru Pate, explained that the internet and the attendant revolution in information and communication technologies have brought unique challenges and opportunities for the media, making it necessary for professionals to adjust to remain relevant or phase out.
Prof. Paye further buttressed that media credibility, technology, funding, and quality content are the major challenges facing the media today in Nigeria.
“Communication and media studies in Nigeria are being revolutionized to reflect current reality. He said there is a need to continue collaborating between academia and industry through events such as MDC23.”
He commended MacArthur, the Open Society Foundation, Luminate, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for supporting the conference, the first of its kind that converged participants from West Africa.
“Innovation is key today in journalism. It’s a must to go with evolving technology. Appreciate media roles in development
In their separate goodwill messages, MacArthur Foundation country director, Dr. Kole Shettima, Luminate Vice Chair Africa, Toyin Akinniyi, and Amy Mitchell of Center for News, Technology and Innovation commended CJID for organization the conference that aims to entrench democracy, innovation and media sustainability across West Africa subregion.
Similarly, the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell, stressed the role of the media in fostering healthy information exchange, upholding democracy, and promoting good governance.
Professionals from various walks of life would discuss other subthemes, such as inequality and economic stagnation in Africa, corrosive capital inflow, advancing innovative ways to maternal and neonatal mortality, and advancing gender discourse through the media.
Some participants explained their anticipations of exposure to salient issues that would enable them to strengthen their journalistic activities at the end of the conference.
They acknowledged that there’s a need for collaboration between media, civil society, and the public to leverage opportunities brought about by technology and innovation.
