To strengthen professionalism, civic engagement, and sustainability in community broadcasting and promote democracy, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have set an agenda for broadcast journalists to advance civic voter education and ensure effective professional media coverage on the electoral process.

The two bodies stated these goals during a capacity-building workshop they jointly organised for community broadcasters in Abuja last week. Participants from across the country partook in the four-day workshop, which was divided into two batches for community radio and Campus radio practitioners.

Speaking at the event, NBC Director General, Mr Charles Ebuebu urged community broadcasters such as Campus Radio Practitioners and Community Radio to embrace sound management practices, develop partnerships, and adopt creative approaches that support sustainability.

The NBC DG further stated that the programme’s goal was to help broadcasters strategically serve their target communities through ethical behaviour while being creative and professional. He further highlighted the power of community radio stations to amplify diverse voices, promote dialogue, and drive collective action towards a shared community.

“By upholding high standards of professionalism, we not only earn the trust of our audience but also enhance the quality and credibility of our broadcasting. Our stations have the power to amplify diverse voices, ignite conversations, and drive collective action towards shared goals within our communities,” Mr Ebuebu stated.

He further urged community broadcasters to leverage their platforms to inspire dialogue and drive positive change within their communities. They were emphasising the importance of earning the audience’s trust and elevating the quality and credibility of community broadcasting.

Also speaking at the occasion, CEMESO Executive Director Dr. Akin Akingbulu emphasised the vital role community broadcasters play in advancing democracy. He highlighted how the need for broadcasters to advance civic voter education and ensure effective professional media coverage, on electoral cycle using diverse radio programming formats.

Using a variety of radio programming formats, he emphasised the need for broadcasters to promote civic voter education and guarantee competent, professional media coverage during election cycles.

Dr. Akingbulu explained some of CEMESO’s contributions to the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project II, which aim to promote democracy in Nigeria by focusing on the media’s role in providing fair, accurate, inclusive, and professional election coverage.

Two main objectives are raising the professionalism of media practitioners, particularly women, and increasing the scope of civic and voter education (CVE). Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the regulatory body’s ability to efficiently carry out its mandate.

“The workshop was carefully designed to strengthen professionalism, civic engagement, and sustainability in community broadcasting He emphasised the value of community radio stations, pointing out their special ability to connect with local people and encourage grassroots involvement in political processes,” he said.

“CEMESO and the EU-SDGN Project aim to ensure that the media landscape in Nigeria not only supports democracy but actively nurtures it. The focus on professionalism, civic engagement, and sustainability in community broadcasting is seen as a critical step towards achieving these goals”