The Department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS), Rivers State University (RSU), in collaboration with the Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has organised a town-gown initiative, aimed at boosting the study of journalism in the institution.
Taking advantage of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, with the theme: ‘Reporting in the Brave new World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,’ management of the institution and the NUJ described the initiative as a novel way of enabling students gain practical exposure and insight into the practice of journalism.
Such exposure included lectures and practical work by students, with resource persons drawn from the academia, print and broadcast media, among them being Ignatius Chukwu, Regional Editor of BusinessDay.
Isaac Zeb-Obipi, Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Victor Akujum, while delivering an address at the event on Monday, said the initiative offers practical knowledge to not only students of the Department, but to the staff as well, as he urged them to make good use of it.
He noted the global call for press freedom and the incalculable positives it offers to the society, while pointing out the that on the other hand such freedom is limited by issues of libel, sedition and others.
While applauding the town-gown initiative, Zeb-Obipi urged the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) and the Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure the relationship is sustained.
Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, Chairman, Rivers State Council, NUJ, noted the role journalists in the State played in the establishment of the Department of Mass Communication, which had grown into a Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
He frowned at acts and initiatives that are inimical to the practice of journalism in the State, citing the recent incident of unwarranted attacks on journalists by an overzealous policeman, while calling for a conducive environment for journalists to practice.
Bazia -Nsaneh further noted that one of the challenges confronting journalists is the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how to deploy it to build professional capability.
Nduka N. Nwanpka, Head of Department, Journalism and Media studies, in his address, said the collaboration with the NUJ was driven by his department’s vision of “producing graduates who can compete favourably with their peers elsewhere in a globalised world.”
