The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Friday urged maritime journalists to improve on reportage of the industry in order to attract more investors and boost shipping business.
The Director, Special Duties of NSC, Mr Ignatius Nweke, made the appeal at the Council’s Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists, held in Lagos.
Deputy Director, Special Duties; Mrs Adaku Okam represented Nweke.
Nweke, in a paper titled: “The Media in a Contemporary Maritime Industry’’, explained that for the media to engage in prompt reportage, maritime journalists require adequate information from the sector for their sustainability.
He said that if the media had no adequate information, they could decide to play positive or negative roles in the maritime industry.
“I will advise the media to always conduct research toward disseminating good reports in order to move the industry forward.
“The media should support developments in the sector and release information for people to be aware of positive changes that would attract more customers to patronise Nigerian ports.
“If the media are able to give quick and wide reportage, then they will be the tools for awareness in the maritime sector, ‘’ Nweke said.
He said that there was need for the media to embrace modern technology to function effectively.
Nweke noted that the maritime sector should engage in training and retraining the media to make them more familiar with the latest innovation in the sector.
He stressed that the council is looking for enabling environment for the council and the media to work together.
“We feel that you have done excellently well in your reportage of the maritime industry. We don't know how to thank or encourage you but we want to create a platform to educate you more am let you know what and what we are doing. And equally for you to tell us what we on our own side have failed to do because we can't do without you", he concluded.
He also urged the media to always balance their reports and educate the public positively.
Nweke said that the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello, appreciated the role played by the media, which led to the status of the council as the port’s economic regulator.
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