Buzz Positive News, Choose Solution Journalism - NIPR Experts Tells Media

Buzz Positive News, Choose Solution Journalism - NIPR Experts Tells Media

...As NACETEM Asks For Accurate Science Communication reportage...

By Abisola Ariwodola,

Media Practitioners have been urged to disseminate information by buzzing positive news that promotes development, that they should also choose solution journalism as a tool over negative news projected by some mediums in the state and country. 

This is as the National Center for Technology Management NACETEM calls for accurate science communication reportage that will include statistics and reveal the main content of research as science based news.

This was disclosed at the Media Workshop organized by the  Nigeria Institute of Public Relations NIPR, tagged: 'Building and Redeeming the Image of Nigeria, Osun state and various Organizations through Quality and Credible Reportage', held at Nacetem Seminar Room A, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife on Friday.

In their welcome remarks, the DG/CEO National Center for Technology Management NACETEM Dr John Omimakinde and Osun NIPR Chairman Mr Ademola Adesoji welcomed all to the second series  NIPR Media Workshop.

The NACETEM boss, Dr Omimakinde stated that the everyday live of people is science, he urged the men of the fourth estate realm to make use of quality and credible science and technology reportage.

Mr Ademola Adesoji who gave the history of  NIPR Media Workshop said quality and credible reportage is important, he earmarked what is affecting the state and country as negative news, he called for change as agenda setters.

At the program which was also made virtual, held in collaboration with Headquarters of National Center for Technology Management NACETEM, for Reporters, Broadcasters, Journalists and Information Officers, the Facilitators gave electrifying lectures to the media participants.

In his lecture, the Head of Corporate Communications Unilever Nig Ltd, Mr Godfrey Adejumoh averred that the impact of news written by its professionals leaves a story, portrays to the outside world, description of individuals, organization,, state or country in the news. 

He said that though some celebrities and others like to be in the news for the sensational aspect of it, he urged the News writers not to join the band wagon, to avoid sensationalism at the detriment of image, to embrace quality news instead of trying to be the first to break the news even if it lacks substance and to sacrifice depth and substance for quality reportage.

The fast rising Public Relations practitioner, talking about the emotions of various audience of mediums, maintained that negative buzzing must be avoided as it could lead to anxiety, frustration, stress, fear, tension, and other negative impacts, he appealed to the gentlemen of the press to change the narrative and embrace positive buzzing.

Mr Godfrey reiterated that the media is powerful, hence the need to make things better by reducing negative news, report balanced narrative, and use the power of story telling to build the reputation of the state and country, to shape the future.

The Solution Journalism Ambassador, Dr Rasheed Adebiyi in his lecture re-emphasized that what people see or hear affects their mindset, adding that it's time for media to also focus the response of people to challenges in their resports, 'dont just tell the story, report the reactions and impact of the story'.

He reiterated also that Solution Journalism has come to stay because it gives voice to the people, and gives hope for a better future, he urged the media gurus not to cover problem with problem, but to always follow up on their story and give accurate and impactful and developmental reportage.

The Senior Lecturer at the Communication department at Fountain University listed Success story of Karataka, Osun Health Insurance Scheme, MaxOkada in Osun state, he said the programs are impacting lives, he added that more of such success stories can be discovered by journalists.

Mr Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Adegboyega Oyetola in his lecture pointed out the development works carried out by the government, he also commended the media for their attention to government news.

The CPS represented by Mr Sola Umoru while saying that the government of Osun is proactive in building a positive image, he urged the media men to always verify every information heard and not to rush to write their stories.

Advising the media participants at the workshop on the need for constructive criticism, he maintained that just as quality and credible reportage boost the government, individuals, organizations, state or country, it also boost the writer and readers and listeners of such stories.

The Public Relations Officer of NACETEM, Mr Isaac Oluyi in his words opined that Science and Technology news must be well reported, he added that this is made possible by understanding the objective and narrative of science and technology and its influence.

He called on the media handlers to have a good capacity for news, project state and country positively, create awareness, enjoy science, make it interesting, form good opinion with the story telling, all done with easy understanding of it.

'As a nation, we need science and technology, find and use the story and statistics in the science to advance development, your standpoint in life determines your viewpoint and we can begin to see that this state, country and nation is blessed when we come together and project it positively', Oluyi stated.

The participants at the Osun NIPR Media Workshop includes, Information Officers, Staff of  Osun state Broadcasting Corporation, PROs of Organizations, Institutions and agencies of the government, Osun Correspondents Chapel members, Local governments Information Officers, Osun Online Media Practitioners, NACETEM staff, Bloggers, and Osun NIPR Executives among others.