edition-dw-akademie-in-the-service-of-the-public-functions-and-transformation-of-media-in-developing-countries-pdf

Part III Nigeria: Freedom Radio, an African Private Public Service Radio– Generation of revenue needs to be diversified so thatthe station isn’t solely dependent on a small number ofmajor advertisers.– Development and discussion of editorial guidelines.So far Freedom Radio only has an oral culture of sharingvalues, principles, and practices. It could be of helpto put them down in writing to assure a general agreementon the newsroom’s operations.– Improved maintenance and management of the websitesand the therein published program schedules; intoday’s web environment, the station’s profile must beseen to be kept scrupulously up-to-date.Freedom Radio has clear ambitions to fulfill the primary tenetsof public service media. It strives both to create a publicsphere, a forum for the discussion of political and social issues,and to support the education, empowerment, integration, andentertainment of its audiences. The context within which itoperates, however, remains a difficult one. Educational standardsin the country are disappointing even at secondary level,and solid, multi-faceted vocational training in universities andcolleges is practically non-existent, so that training on the jobis a must. There is also insufficient appreciation of the need forwell-founded market and audience research.The outlet is – by its own admission – strongly reliant on internationalpartners to deliver these values, journalism training,and sector-specific management training. There is a livelydesire to continue profiting from the training standards of thepartner organizations. More generally speaking, there is alsoa need for guidance in the development of better professionalsupport networks, which in turn could lead to greater professionalconfidence amongst journalists. Existing associationsneed support in developing sustainable financing structuresand combating ingrained corruption. Both media organizationsand the journalists themselves should be encouraged toview such networks as an integral and necessary part of themedia landscape. An outlet like Freedom Radio could easilytake the lead in this.94Faruk Dalhatu, Managing DirectorFreedom Radio, Board ofDirectors – by telephone,June 24, 2014.95Umar Saidu Tudunwada,General Manager Operations,Freedom Radio – informationprovided via email, June 21, 2014.96Ofose.97Dr. Balarabe Maikaba, Headof Mass Communications Dept.,Bayero University, Kano.Dr. Maikaba points out thatthis is in fact already in process,with the NUJ “and other relevantstakeholders” calling for a reviewof the Code of Ethics, amongstothers.98Faggo, February 27, 2014.99Umar Saidu Tudunwada,General Manager Operations,Freedom Radio.100This should be a task for the outletitself but the individualjournalist should have recourseto regulatory frameworksand support networks in caseof conflict with the outlet.Edition DW Akademie In the Service of the Public 195