THE frequent change of leadership at government-owed media outfits is threatening professionalism of the organizations, the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU has said.
National President of the Union, Yemisi Bamgbose, in a reaction to the sack of Directors-General of federal government’s media parastatals in the nation recently, said government’s undue censorship and unnecessary interference in the professional judgment of its media-controlled organizations has had negative effects on the expected professional competence and development that are expected from organizations.
Bamgbose, who spoke in Abuja after the union’s meeting, explained that such undue interference in the professional competence by political leaders has introduced god-fatherism by non-professionals in the system.
He expressed regrets that media practitioners always appreciate the prerequisite of government in the appointment and removal of its political heads appointees but argued that such appointments and removals at the pleasure of any government in power would not enhance professional competence and goal setting.
Bamgbose noted that the problem in the Nigerian media today was not about professional competence on the job but what is obtainable in the political system, and called for the constitution of a media stakeholder forum, aimed at determining the expected high performance of media in Nigeria.
However, the RATTAWU president stressed that while it was essential that government should always undertake a thorough overhauling in the system, the constitution review committee of the National Assembly should create good laws including television and radio sets tax laws to allow the professionals in their workplace operate well to enhance optimum performance.
He stressed the need for government to always look inwards at getting competent hands from the system to enhance the credibility, stability and competence, which would help support the media heads in performance of their duty.
Bamgbose also enjoined government on an adequate funding plan which would support equipment performance in the hands of competent media personnel at all times, particularly information and culture sector to turn a money-spinning venture.
He advised the Ministry of Labour and Salaries and Wages Commission to remunerate media practitioners duly as elixir for their optimum professional performance.
The RATTAWU President expressed regrets that such essential equipment were not available presently to run the system unlike what obtained in the developed world and were run on competent hands, especially in the realization of the 2017 television digitalization policy deadline.
He commended government for undertaking a due process in the nation’s general administration, economically, politically and socially in the last few months.
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