The Voice of Nigeria (VON), says it is seeking for collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in telling positive narratives about Nigeria and Africa, and addressing fake news.
The Director-General of VON, Malam Jibrin Baba-Ndace stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to his counterpart at the Headquarters of NBC in Abuja.
According to Baba-Ndace, VON is determined to seek new partnership and consolidate on the existing in telling Nigeria and Africa stories.
“There is no platform in the continent of Africa like VON that is empowered by law, and that has the mandate to tell Nigeria and Africa stories, and to build positive narratives about Nigeria and Nigerians, Africa and Africans.
“There is no better time to do it than now when people are busy telling their stories, we should also tell ours. I want to assure you that we are determined and unapologetic in telling truthful, believable, timely and consistent narratives about Nigeria and Africa.
“We cannot achieve this without the support of NBC. What people see about NBC is when it weild the big stick, but the role of the Commission is much more strategic; content creation and telling broadcast stations to do the right thing.
“You cannot bring down your own country. If you cannot contextualize knowledge and understand the sensibility and difference of people, religion, ethnicity, diversity, etc then you should not ba an anchor.
“We have the human resources to support and partner with NBC to deliver on its mandate. We are determine to be the buffer in telling and sharing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“Also, we are willing to work with you in the fight against fake news, misinformation and disinformation. This is one of our major challenge in the world, and that is why VON is thorough in gatekeeping for our contents,” Baba-Ndace said.
He further emphasises that VON is willing to run campaigns to create awareness about fake news, misinformation and disinformation, adding that, his organisation will also want to partner with the Commission on workshops, seminars and others in line with global best practices.
In his response, the Director-General of NBC, Mr Charles Ebuebu said the Commission has the mandate of bringing the media to be at par with best practices in terms of content sharing and others.
Ebuebu added that the NBC also have the mandate to take the industry to where it should be.
According to him, the social social media eco-system has pulled away some source of revenue from the television stations.
“There are so many positive stories about Nigeria. If we are able to make things work, we will go far. Content producers and distributors should always be on the positive side.
“This is because, we have licensees who are complaining that their revenue is going to skit makers, but why is that so, the answer is simple, content!!
“However, we are in discussion with National Orientation Agency. We need to partners and collaborate. We need to join hands together and have an inter-agency collaboration to take media to where it should be,” Ebuebu said.
Newsspecng reports that high point of the visit was the presentation of survenires by Ebuebu to Baba-Ndace.
