Abuja: Former NTA Director-General, Prof. Tonnie Iredia, has urged journalists to remain professional, embrace innovation, and continuously improve their skills to stay relevant in the fast-evolving media industry. Iredia made these remarks during an interactive session with staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Iredia emphasized the critical importance of manpower development, urging journalists to adapt to emerging technologies and trends while avoiding a ‘robotic mentality’ that resists change. He highlighted the need for discretion, critical thinking, and innovation in modern newsrooms, asserting that progress in journalism requires effort, adaptability, and openness to learn from industry dynamics.
He also underscored the significance of apolitical reporting and consistency, stressing the necessity for journalists to maintain professionalism, hold power accountable, and rely on facts rather than personal opinions in their reporting. Sharing his experiences as NTA Director-General, Iredia reinforced the need for proper training, education, and adherence to professional standards.
Iredia recounted challenges such as government interference during his tenure, advocating for boldness, fearlessness, and editorial independence to ensure truthful reporting and accountability in governance. He compared past and present media landscapes, acknowledging advancements in technology but noting that older media excelled in manpower development and expertise.
Expressing concern over insufficient training opportunities, Iredia stressed the importance of improved productivity and advised NAN leadership to expand its operational scope beyond its traditional print-oriented model. He mentioned his initiative of deploying NTA staff to train NAN personnel in radio and television news production, which contributed to NAN’s evolution into a multi-platform news organization.
Iredia clarified that journalists should not aim to ‘tell truth to power’ but rather report accurately and bring societal issues to the government’s attention. NAN Managing Director, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, described Iredia as a thought leader, emphasizing the need to highlight societal ills through factual reporting rather than personal opinions.
Ali also noted the necessity for multi-skilling and continuous training in modern media, urging journalists to expand their knowledge across disciplines for comprehensive and impactful coverage. NAN recently held its first retreat in years to address training and skill gaps, with Ali encouraging staff to remain resilient and resist undue criticism.
He urged journalists to emulate Iredia’s legacy of courage, knowledge, and professionalism, reinforcing that continuous learning, innovation, and ethical reporting are essential for the growth and credibility of the journalism industry.