Expert recommends single-minded focus on journalism

A media expert, Azubuike Ishiekwene, has advised the Nigerian Guild of Editors to promote single-minded focus on journalism to ensure efficiency.
Ishiekwene, who is the Publisher of The Interview, gave the advice on Thursday, while delivering a lecture at the ongoing All Nigerian Editors’ Conference holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, it is difficult for journalists to define their roles within the context of professionalism, advocacy and business.
“In the midst of this temptation, all we need is to do true journalism, adopt a single-minded focus on journalism,” he said.
Ishiekwene identified internal wastage, maintenance cost, Lack of transparency and poor adoption of technology as challenges facing the media.
He also stated that lack of capacity to harvest and commoditise data within the media industry constituted part of the challenges of the industry.
He said: “Editors should be providing balance, context and leadership within the system; it is difficult to play our roles as editors without this.
“Open periodic value-driven conversation for the media and allied industries and strong attention to training is important.”
Besides, the media expert enjoined the NGE to rejuvenate its ethics committee in order to give the profession a stamp of quality and responsibility.