Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Ralph Akinfeleye has attributed non-structured focus and poor communication of research findings to the increasing level of social decadence in the country.
To redress the situation, Prof. Akinfeleye suggested that research subjects must be contemporary and structured with a contextual framework to address issues of public interest.
Professor Akinfeleye gave the charge at the ongoing 3rd International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON), which was held at the Biodun Shobanjo Centre of Excellence in Multimedia Technology and Cinematography, Department of Mass Communication University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The theme of the international conference is: “Communication, Mass Media and Governance in Africa: Trajectories, Expectations and Realities.”
The immediate past Chairman of the UNILAG Centre of Excellence in Multimedia Technology and Cinematography urged members of the AMCRON to centre their research focus on issues that will promote, support a free press and entrench democracy, saying democracy cannot survive without a free press that will serve as the engine that lubricates governance.
Prof Akinfeleye, who delivered the keynote address, charged the media that keeps close tabs on the government to also be responsible, saying that some of the society watchdogs have derailed in their responsibilities.
In his welcome address, the President of AMCRON, Professor Eserinune McCarty Mojaye called on government at all levels, key players in the private sector, and public-spirited individuals to partner and support communication researchers in their commitment toward bringing about robust national development through research.
Going down memory lane, he disclosed that the association was formed in 2018 with a mission to advance scholarship, research and drive development in all areas, adding that the membership had grown from zero to more than 500 over the years and across both academia and industry.
The Chairman of the 3rd AMCRON International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Chief Executive Officer of Troyka Holdings Limited, Dr Biodun Shobanjo, rejoiced with members of the Association for their contributions to national development.
He expressed strong reservations over the flagrant abuse of media rules as well as the trend of media bullying and occurrences which he said must be curtailed to avert the grievous danger it portends for the industry
He described the theme of the conference as apposite in the case of Nigeria given the spate of disputes that attended the last elections and the growing disenchantment of the populace with governance.
“Whichever way we choose to cut or dice it, the articulation and dynamic observance of the role of the media in not only informing, educating, entertaining, but more importantly, becoming the advocate and the beacon for the enthronement of good governance is now more than called for.
“Everything now seems to be captured and the most frightening and worrying being the charge of the judiciary being the latest.
“If we accept that the media in most societies is placed in a role to shape and modulate opinions and feelings, hijacking or keeping it under the control of powerful political, social and economic forces has always been a major preoccupation with the main article of procurement being bribery or bullying,” he said.
He charged the participants to dwell on issues of common interests and follow up to help resolve the challenges facing communication and the media in Nigeria.
