RESOLUTIONS OF THE CATHOLIC MEDIA PRACTITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAMPAN) HELD AT THE PASTORAL CENTRE, IGWURUTA IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PORT HARCOURT, BETWEEN JULY 31, 2017 AND AUGUST 3 , 2017.
THEME: DEVELOPING A MORE PROACIVE MEDIA FOR THE NIGERIAN CHURCH
CAMPAN RESONSIBILITIES TO THE CHRCH
CAMPAN members at the meeting unanimously agreed to be more committed to the propagation of the Catholic Church faith and activities to the outside world through their professional callings. They also promised to continue to avail the church of their time and talents
They advised the Church to always allow them contribute to diocesan and national programmes and events as well as be involved in their implementation.
OBSERVATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
CAMPAN however identified the emerging social media, politicians, political propaganda, electronics and print media , the interests of media ownership, lack of professionalism, environmental factors as some of the sources of fake news stories following a paper presented by one of the resource persons and from its technical session.
The association also identified that its purveyors indulge in fake news to divert public attention from the truth to falsehood or to secure cheap publicity as well as silence the opposition by portraying them in bad light.
CAMPAN condemns this act and advises its members to always respond to fake news items by issuing instant rejoinders or authentic news stories to the public through the same medium the writer of fake news items had used to reach the public. This will clarify doubts among the public.
It also advises victims of fake news items to always report such incidents to the law enforcement agencies for investigation and the arrest of culprits for prosecution.
It suggests the strengthening and the enforcement of the cybercrime laws so as to discourage intending perpetrators.
There should be a synergy among the various regulatory agencies; security agencies and the internet service providers such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), the police force and the various communication outfits on how to track the carriers of fake news.
It advises governments and the organized private sector to provide job opportunities for the unemployed to discourage them from engaging in cybercrimes.
It also advises media organizations to always verify the authenticity of story items sent to them by street journalists before transmitting.
The association also appeals the CBCN to encourage wealthy Catholics to establish media outfits through which the faithful can witness to the Church. Such platforms will afford Catholic priests and trained lay faithful an opportunity to evangelise other faithful on how they can deepen their faith about the church’s liturgy, teaching and doctrines as well correct the misconceptions of others about the Catholic Church.
CAMPAN also suggests that the church should establish a daily, weekly or monthly newspaper; a radio and a television station at its stage of development and existence in the life of the nation. It also advises the church’s hierarchy to sponsor programmes on radio and television stations.
They should also be organizing regular training and refresher courses for those working in diocesan media organizations. It also called for proactive and regular interface between Diocesan Directors of Social Communications and lay media practitioners on how to positively project the image of the church.
It also urges the leadership of the church to give more attention to the welfare of their staff.
The various dioceses should encourage their parishes to work in harmony with CAMPAN members.
Diocesan Directors of Social Communications should incorporate Catholic media practitioners in the coverage of priestly ordinations and other activities of the diocese that require media coverage
It also appeals to the CBCN to always fund media projects in their dioceses.
APPRECIATION: We thank His Lordship, Most Revd Camilus Etokudoh, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, for graciously hosting the meeting and providing befitting accommodations for the delegates from across the arch/dioceses of Nigeria and the resource persons.
We also thank him for being the Chief Celebrant at the opening Mass of the meeting held at the Corpus Christi Cathedral where he formally declared the conference open.
We also thank His Lordship, Most Revd Godfrey Onah of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka and CBCN Chairman for Social Communications for honouring the meeting with his presence as well as delivering a keynote address that dwelt on the theme of the meeting.
We are also grateful to Rev. Fr (Dr) Christian Anyanwu, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and the staff of the directorate; Rev Fr. Bartholomew Uzoma, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, his staff as well as CAMPAN, Port Harcourt diocese for all the arrangements and planning that led to the successful hosting of this conference.
CAMPAN also appreciates Dr.Vincent Asuru, Rev. Fr. Gerald Musa, Dr. Clement Asadu and Mrs Monica Ogwah for acceding to be our resource personnel and for presenting well researched, well informed and highly educative papers relevant to the central theme of the conference.
The association also appreciates Rev. Fr. Pius Ukoh; the National President, Religious and Diocesan Directors of Social Communications, his Vice; Rev. Fr. Femi Adetunji for presenting a goodwill message to the association and conducting a credible election that led to the emergence of its new executive. WE also thank Rev. Fr. Walter Ihejirika; President SIGNIS Africa, for his presence at the meeting and explaining the working relationships involving SIGNIS, CAMPAN and CAEAN.
Signed
Patrick Osu NationalPresident Peter Dada NationalSecretary
