Lagos reiterates importance of Community Media in grassroots development

The Lagos State Government has emphasized the crucial role of Community Media practitioners in bridging the communication gap between the government and the grassroots.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Rural Development, Babatunde Durojaiye, at an interactive session held at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development in Alausa-Secretariat, Ikeja, on Friday, praised the dedication of these media professionals in ensuring that residents of Lagos State were well-informed about government activities.

The session, themed “Community Media Practitioners: Gatekeepers between the Government and the Grassroots,” focused on the responsibility of media practitioners to disseminate accurate and verified information, particularly in the rapidly evolving New Media landscape.

Durojaiye stressed that the role of the practitioners as intercultural gatekeepers is vital, as one incorrect piece of information could have far-reaching negative consequences.

He acknowledged the significant contributions of Community Media practitioners in promoting the policies and achievements of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, particularly through the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda, which aims to transform Lagos into a 21st-century economy.

The interactive session was organized to equip media professionals with the necessary skills for effective grassroots information dissemination, thereby fostering goodwill for the administration.

Durojaiye also highlighted the challenges posed by the New Media, particularly the spread of false and misleading news.

He urged practitioners to prioritize the verification of information before dissemination to maintain peace and support the overall development of the state.

He called on participants to actively engage with the facilitators during the session and to apply the knowledge gained to better serve their communities and the state at large.

Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Kehinde Adebayo, underscored the critical role of Community Media practitioners in bridging the gap between the Lagos State Government and its grassroots populace.

Adebayo emphasized the importance of ethical journalism, urging community media practitioners to maintain transparency regarding their biases and conflicts of interest.

He cautioned against using their platforms to misrepresent the government or incite unrest within communities.

Instead, he called on journalists to be accountable both to their communities and the government by amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard.

“Today’s interactive session is strategically chosen to help us harness the advantages available to us as gatekeepers of information in our various communities,” Kehinde stated.

He expressed confidence that the seasoned facilitators at the event would equip participants with the necessary skills to ethically control the narrative of information and use it for the collective good.

The interactive session is part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the relationship between the government and the grassroots, ensuring that community needs are met while promoting transparency and accountability in governance.