THE International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has called on the media to positively project the image of the country.
Its patron, Mallam Ismaila Isa, made the call yesterday during the chapter’s meeting on the hosting of the IPI Congress in Lagos.
Isa said it was very important that Nigerian media built the country’s image outside Nigeria.
According to him, there was no country in the world that does not have problems, and it is not being magnified the way and manner they are magnifying Nigeria’s.
He said Nigeria’s hosting of the IPI Congress in June 2018 meant a lot to the country as it would bring the entire world media into Nigeria.
“Beside the reassurance you will give the world about this country, you are reopening the country to outside world.
“Media should not be our own enemies, because sometimes the headlines media houses are casting is not positive for the country.
“Nobody is trying to control the media houses, but at the same time, you have to remember that you are a Nigerian, you have no other country.
“Some of the headlines are not in the interest of the country, so we should be careful how we present the country,” Isa said.
He also urged journalists to engage in investigative journalism.
Isa said hosting the world media meant a lot, as other countries of world were doing it.
Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the IPI Congress, said the congress would help to showcase Nigeria, the media and Africa.
Obaigbena said it was the responsibility of every journalist to ensure the success of the congress.
Nine sub-committees were set up to ensure the success of the congress.
The sub-committees include the finance, sponsorship, transportation and logistics, media and publicity, contact and protocol, programme and events, venue and accommodation, security and advisory.
He urged the committees to ensure that they carry out their duties effectively, for the success of the congress.
Founded in October 1950, IPI is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices.