…Call On Catholic Journalists To Balance Reports
WARRI DIOCESE: The NEC of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria CAMPAN, has met with the CBCN Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. Dennis Isizoh at Awka the Anambra State Capital between June 28 and June 30.
The NEC meeting was well attended with the following Executives in attendance; CBCN Chairman for Communications, Bishop Dennis Isizoh
Mr. Patrick Osu, National President,
Mr. Peter Dada, National Secretary,
Mrs. Ekwi Ajide, National Public Relations Officer 2,
Mr. Philip Toryue, National Financial Secretary, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Polycarp and Mr. Okpalanizie Anulika with few other exco’s absent.
In his address, Mr. Patrick Osu, National President expressed gratitude to the CBCN bishop chairman, for his fatherly role, supports and brilliant ideas in piloting the directorate and commended his earnest wisdom in guiding CAMPAN, CAEN and SIGNIS and as well his hospitality to them. He prayed God to bless him with more wisdom and strength to take the directorate of social communications to an enviable height.
While thanking members of his executive, Mr. Osu acknowledged that it is a tasking sacrifice to travel down for a meeting of such, but noted that the work of the Church must be done within the Church. He thanked them and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
He used the opportunity to disclosed the date for the 2019 National Convention of CAMPAN which he said will hold on September 25 through September 28, 2019 in Jos, the Plateau State Capital. He called on all chapters in the Archdioceses/Dioceses and Vicariates to make preparation for the Jos convention so that they can come with their members.
On his part, the bishop chairman welcomed the executives to Awka and thanked God for journey mercies for them. He stated that he is overwhelmed for them to make it for the meeting and appreciated the turn up of members.
Bishop Isizoh who is the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese disclosed that he had mandated the Directors of Social Communications in all the dioceses to ensure they establish CAMPAN, CAEAN and SIGNIS in their respective dioceses and made them functional; and to come with progress reports during their next meeting slated to hold in Warri later this year.
He called on CAMPAN to intensify their efforts in membership drive at both the diocesan and archdiocesan levels and always engage in activities that will make their meetings, conferences and congresses very interesting for members.
The bishop also urged CAMPAN executives to always forward reports of activities to the Directorate in Abuja to enable him include such in his reports at the CBCN plenaries.
Speaking further, Most Rev. Isizoh advised Catholic Journalists to focus on how to report positive developments about the Church and the country, adding that, when there are negative events to report, Catholic Journalists should seek to balance such in the spirit of fair hearing and promotion of justice to concerned parties.
“Every country in the world has both negative and positive developments but journalists’ reports are usually based on individual perceptions of issues”.
On plans to nominate National Patrons and Patronesses for the Association; the bishop said it is a welcome idea but modified some of the nominated names. Though letters had been written to Chief Mrs. Victoria Obianno, Mr. John Momoh of Channels Television, Justice Mary Ofili and Sir Lucky Omoluwa, KSS but the bishop advised that it should be thrown open to members during the forthcoming national convention for deliberation and suggestions.
Most Rev. Dennis Isizoh also advised that CAMPAN should not focus only on established personalities but also look for upcoming stars and celebrities who will be willing to assist the body by recognizing them.
On the establishment of one national or regional newspaper as against diocesan newspapers, the bishop advised CAMPAN to float an Online newspaper with a website that could be read all over the world with less personnels and funds involved.
He however promised to work on some foreign agencies and introduce CAMPAN members to them to serve as freelancers and stringers. He said by this token, members will be sending reports about the Church to such organisations which will further boost their reportorial skills.
On the hosting of National Convention, the bishop chairman for communications, suggested that chapters that are firm enough should be encouraged to host such conventions before going to others.
He also suggest the introduction of CATHOLIC JOURNALISTS OF THE YEAR AWARD by the national body of CAMPAN which he said is to recognise and motivate those that have been reporting the activities of the Catholic Church and encourage others to do same.
He said the award should cover those in the print, electronic media and blogs.
To this end, a three-man panel of judges comprising Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Alumuku; , Dr. Cletus Akwaya, the Managing Editor of Access Newspaper and Mrs. Eugenia Abu was set up to receive entries and come up with modalities to select winners.
It was alao concluded that the investiture of patrons and patronesses and giving of awards to journalists will hold during the 2019 national convention.