Deputy Managing Director, The Sun newspaper, Mr. Steve Nwosu has applauded Christian media group, Journalists For Christ (JFC), Nigeria, on its recent project; Mainstreaming Gender Reporting On Affirmative Action Of Women And Girls Rights Issues.
The publication, a month monitoring of six national newspapers including The Sun, Vanguard, Daily Trust, The Nation, Guardian and The Punch newspapers, revealed the space the media give to women and girls issues, which the JFC says can improve.
At the presentation of the publication to the management of the Sun newspaper, the DMD while commending the project, said, “The area of gender reporting is an area we have to focus more on in light of current domestic challenges,” he said.
On domestic violence now increasing in the society, Nwosu added that, “Some men even think that once in a while you need to beat your wife to keep her in line, these things must stop and it is a collective effort.”
In his own response, Executive Director, The Sun newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, said, the project is timely and the publications presented to the media house is a good gesture and would go into the library of the organisation for referencing.”
At the Vanguard newspaper, Deputy Editor, Eze Anaba, appreciated JFC for embarking on the project. He however advised that the organisation should do more in training female journalists across newsrooms on current international trends as they affect women.
According to him, women close earlier in the newsrooms but must find how to influence editorial policies. “The most hardworking among female journalists here work till 5pm, they don’t work till 11pm like their male counterparts. There is nothing wrong with the women leaving by 6pm, but what they should focus on is how they raise issues. For instance, how have they influenced editorial policies?” He asked.
Anaba, who enlightened JFC that, women are well represented in the editorial department of Vanguard newspaper, where there are a number of female columnists, added that, “You find men discussing women issues, it is not right. How have my female colleagues in the newsroom educated me on international trends about women?” He asked.
He explained that, “All they tell me is gender balancing, gender discrimination, it has become a slogan. How have they influenced things? Teach me, educate me inform me, so it is not about gender balancing alone, there are international issues, core things about women they should emphasise.”
He therefore enjoined JFC to search for more funding to propagate women issues. “Look for funds, training newsroom women, train them to influence editorial policies, train them to be advocates, train them to be knowledgeable,” he appealed.
Head of the JFC delegation and Project Coordinator, Gbenga Osinaike appreciated the media houses for the warm reception and meaningful contributions on the project. “The project has been made possible by the support of the World Association For Christian Communication (WACC), Canada and we also appreciate the input of the six newspapers monitored,” Osinaike said.
Osinaike however appreciated media managers who have been engaged at the end of the project. “We also appreciate the media managers who we have benefited from in terms of ideas that could further enhance our work. The insights so far gained from media managers encountered on the various media visits have been tremendous.”
Story written by: Dayo Emmanuel
