Ease Impact Of Fuel Subsidy Removal/ Exchange Rate Volatility- Editors Urge FG

Members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the federal government to urgently mitigate the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal and the exchange rate volatility on the economy. This was part of resolutions at the end of a three day All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The Guild also urged the federal government to consider subsidies or tax relief to help media houses cope with the current challenges.
In a communique signed by the NGE president, Eze Anaba and the general secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the body’s media managers said that while it recognizes the potential long-term benefits of the federal government’s reforms, the immediate economic strain on all sectors, especially the media, is becoming unbearable and unhelpful to economic growth in the country.
The Guild therefore called for targeted relief measures to ease the burden on citizens and businesses.
For media sustainability, the Guild advocated for innovation in revenue generation beyond traditional advertising. It called on media owners to invest in quality journalism, embrace digital platforms, and offer premium content to ensure financial sustainability.
The editors also raised concerns over the rise in harassment and violence against journalists and, called for stricter enforcement of journalist protection laws while urging media houses to provide safety training for their staff, especially those covering sensitive issues.
The Guild also urged media proprietors to maintain high standards of professionalism stressing, that adherence to ethical standards is essential for building public trust and countering pressures that threaten press freedom.
The Guild also expressed concern over the gagging of Nigerian press, especially online platforms, with obnoxious laws and resolved to compile all the anti-media laws and forward to the National Assembly to commence repeal or amendment.
The editors urged the federal government to create a media-friendly environment by reviewing policies that affect operational costs, and consider tariff reductions on essential media equipment.
‘There was a strong recommendation at the conference for media investment in digital transformation, enhanced content delivery, and training of staff on digital skills like data journalism and multimedia production to adapt to Nigeria’s increasingly digital audience.
The need for greater collaboration among media organizations, NGOs, and civil society to advocate for press freedom was also identified pointing out a united front is essential for confronting restrictive laws and policies.
The ANEC also discussed the outcome of a conference titled “The Big Tech and Journalism – Building a Sustainable Future for the Global South, which was held last year in Johannesburg.
The conference, which brought together over 70 journalists, news publishers, media organisations, including Nigerian Guild of Editors, scholars, activists, lawyers, and economists from 24 countries discussed solutions to the crisis of journalism sustainability and its intersection with the role of major tech platforms.
The conference it was reported, culminated in the adoption of Big Tech and Journalism: Principles for Fair Compensation (the Principles). The Principles are intended to be universal, serving as a framework for any country seeking to address media sustainability through competition or regulatory approaches, while enabling adaptation to the unique context.”
The NGE therefore, resolved to adopt the principles expressing hope that it will represent an important step forward in addressing Nigerian media sustainability in ”the tumultuous era of Big Tech.”