Categories: News

Media: Shettima decries overdependence on government for income

… Makes case for multiple streams of revenue

By Taoheed Mohammed

The Director of MacArthur Foundation, Africa Office in Nigeria, Mr. Kole Shettima, has cautioned media proprietors and managers of various newsrooms on the dangers that trail over-dependence on a single source of income, especially from the government.

Shettima made this known recently while speaking with the leaders of 26 media houses in the country at an onboarding summit of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), under its Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability project.

Noting that an independent media is the oxygen of Nigerian democracy, he stressed that the industry should put a strong barricade to prevent the media from being overpowered and controlled by the ruling elites.

In his words: “If we do not have an independent media that holds the government accountable, democracy will collapse. The media was the vehicle that supported pro-democratic movement organisations in the country. The media is the oxygen of our democracy, and we need it for our democracy to thrive.”

I-79 Media Consults reports that Shettima urged the participants to have multiple streams of income via subscriptions, advertisements, and memberships, saying “it is the way to enable their sustainability and freedom being the sole defender of the people’s rights.”

He noted that: “If you want to have an independent editorial, you must also have independent sources of income. If you depend on an advertisement from the government, then know you are doomed because all they need do is stop sending their advertisement to your media organisation.

“All the major newspapers we are talking about have collapsed because the revenue system has changed, and the COVID-19 has dramatically changed everybody’s life.

“New York Times, The Guardian, and others, as we may well know, are the ones that have taken the lead in that direction. They do not have to worry about where funds will come from because their subscribers and donors are more than enough in terms of the revenue needed”, he added.

MEDIA AND JOURNALISM OPPORTUNITIES FROM I-79 MEDIA

Mongabay seeks stories about Africa

Mongabay invites proposals from journalists for conventional news stories, in-depth features, investigative reports, profiles, and case studies. APPLY HERE

Gender equality grants at Pulitzer Center

DEADLINE: ROLLING —The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting seeks to offer gender equality grants for investigative data-driven projects. APPLY HERE

Jamlab seeks entries for media database in Africa

Jamlab seeks to build a media database of established independent digital journalism and media organisations in Africa. APPLY HERE

Call for applications: RCDIJ Africa Fund

DEADLINE: ROLLING —The RCDIJ Africa Fund is currently open for applications from journalists across Africa. APPLY HERE

Mongabay seeks pitches from journalists

DEADLINE: ROLLING — Mongabay seeks story pitches from journalists interested in writing about carbon credits, offsets or markets. APPLY HERE

Unbias the News seeks pitches on underreported stories

DEADLINE: ROLLING — Unbias the News is accepting pitches on underreported stories with global relevance. APPLY HERE

Fact-Checking Awards offer up to $12,000 cash prizes

DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2022 — The African Fact-Checking Awards 2022 seek entries from journalists, journalism students, and professional fact-checkers across the continent. APPLY HERE

AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards seek entries

DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2022 —Journalists around the world can submit their best science reporting for the 2022 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards contest. APPLY HERE

African Youth Storytelling Contest seeks entries

DEADLINE: AUGUST 14, 2022 — Applications are invited for the Stories of Africa, a youth storytelling contest that aims to amplify critical voices from across the African continent. APPLY HERE

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship in Investigative Journalism

DEADLINE: AUGUST 15, 2022 — Applications are invited for the 2022 Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship in Investigative Journalism. APPLY HERE

Grants for journalists covering rare diseases ($3,000)

DEADLINE: AUGUST 16, 2022 —The National Press Foundation is offering an online conference for journalists who wish to cover rare diseases from October 17-18, 2022. APPLY HERE

Applications open for 2023 World Press Institute fellowship

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 —Applications are now being accepted for the March 2023 World Press Institute fellowship. Each year, talented journalists apply for 10 fellowship slots. APPLY HERE

O

Recent Posts

PEN PRESS UDUS’ journalism clinic open for registration

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 — PEN PRESS UDUS, the campus media outlet of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), invites…

20 hours ago

Code for Africa is hiring senior copy editor

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — Code for Africa (CfA) has an immediate remote vacancy for a Senior Copy Editor. The Senior…

2 days ago

13 media and journalism opportunities closing in November 2024

With a new month just around the corner, now is the time to seize the opportunities waiting for you in…

2 days ago

BBC seeks a senior journalist to produce disinformation stories

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 27, 2024 — BBC is looking for a talented Senior Journalist to help with the production of disinformation…

5 days ago

Rest of World is hiring an editor

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — Rest of World is hiring an editor to oversee its coverage of Africa and the…

5 days ago

ICIR seeks video journalist/editor in Abuja

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 2, 2024 — The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) seeks a talented and creative Video Journalist/Editor to…

6 days ago

This website uses cookies.