2015 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

CELEBRATING THE WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY, TODAY SUNDAY MAY 17, 2015

        

         

Today Sunday May 17, the global community is celebrating the 2015 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). In November 2006, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) during its plenipotentiary conference held in Antalya, Turkey decided to celebrate both the World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day collectively on a day instead of celebrating them separately or individually; on that note, they called on the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare May 17 of every year as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.   

         

May 17 was chosen owing to the fact that it marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is aimed at raising awareness on the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can yield powerful societies and economies, and also help to bridge the digital divide.

        

Telecommunication can be defined as the science and activity of sending signals and messages over a long distance, by the use of electronic or electrical equipment such as radio, television, telegraph, telephone, computer, cable, and satellite. The word/term is often used in its plural form – telecommunications, because it involves many different technologies.

        

Telecommunication occurs when the exchange of information between two entities includes the use of technology. Communication technology uses channels to transmit information as electrical signals, either over a physical medium such as signal cables, or in the form of electromagnetic waves. Ancient means of communicating over a distance included visual signals namely, beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags and optical heliographs.

        

A revolution in wireless communication began in the first decade of the 20^th century with the pioneering developments in radio communications by Guglielmo Marconi who won the Nobel prize in Physics in 1909. Other highly notable pioneering inventors and developers in the field of electrical and electronic telecommunications include Charles Wheatstone, Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, Edwin Armstrong, Lee de Forest, John Logie Baird and Philo Farnsworth.

        

Telecommunication, which is one of the major factors that constitute an information society, has obviously contributed immensely towards nation-building. Indeed, the impact of telecommunications on the social, economic and political development of any country in existence cannot be overemphasized. Telecommunication has helped tremendously in so many areas of human endeavour including information dissemination, easy access to news reportage, education, politics, creation of awareness, advertisement, entertainment, and most importantly job creation and entrepreneurship development.

         

The availability of telecommunication has enabled people irrespective of age or status to easily access information even in their bedroom. The recent introduction of the social media, which could be access via smart phones, has succeeded in boasting several personal cum business activities which were formally done on a low pace with the use of the old telecommunication systems such as television, radio, et cetera.

        

The provision of the visual satellite dishes has also helped people from all walks of life to greatly appreciate the use of the television, either domestically or industrially, as a result of its ability to access every facet of the globe at all times. To say the least, the transmission of visual signals with the aid of the television has assisted profoundly in marketing of goods and services.

        

The impact of telecommunication on education has become so enormous that it cannot be expressed on a sheet of paper. Of course the various distant learning programmes, which are increasing on a daily basis, wouldn’t have been possible without the telecommunication system such as the internet. More so, the series of educative programmes, soap operas, and what have you that are being run by the various television stations across the country can also be included as one of the avenues that have encouraged distant learning.

          

As regards politics, the telecommunication has recently proven to the citizenry that they can as well observe any electoral activity such as voting and counting of election results, from their respective homes without stepping out of their premises. This measure has helped to eradicate some electoral malpractices and crises, thereby uplifting transparency.

         

It is no longer news that millions of Nigerians are currently employed by various telecommunication companies that are operating in the country. Statistics show that over fifteen percent (15%) of Nigerian citizens are engaged with the telecommunication firms. Suffice it to say that, the telecommunication industry is one of the major employers of labour in Nigeria alongside other countries across the globe.

        

Though the telecommunication technologies play a very vital role in the information society and economic development of any nation, but it is also noteworthy that, there are several anomalies needed to be addressed in the said sector. A situation whereby uncensored films, pictures or music, are disseminated either on the television or the social media is totally unwholesome to the state of any nation, and must be looked into severely and in earnest.

          

As the world commemorate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, I call on the incoming law makers to enact a strict and formidable law that would address the various ongoing abnormal and immoral acts taking place in the telecommunication sector. Against this backdrop, a law that would assign a capital punishment to anyone found guilty of any unacceptable activity regarding the sector would be a way forward, hence would go a long way to introduce sanity in the system. Think about it!

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056     

2015 World Press Freedom Day

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2015 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY SUNDAY MAY 3

        

          

The Press can be defined as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers/personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

         

 With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

         

The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

          

Undoubtedly, the role of the press in nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but education the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

          

The ongoing Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the recent xenophobic attacks in South-Africa cannot be properly approached without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time. Of course it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such, cannot be compromised, and such cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

         

Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we will agree to the fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted, which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

         

Above all, as regards the activities of the political office holders, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption, which is often exhibited by the said officers. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly, as well as the respective efforts of each of the officers. In the same vein, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

         

Today, Sunday May 3, the global community is commemorating the 2015 World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

        

As the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in Nigeria to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law, which is aimed at restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. There is also an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency. Similarly, the governments at all levels should stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country, Nigeria.

         

On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage. Thus, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting ought to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 

                 

The Alleged Ban On AIT, Undemocratic

THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AIT, UNDEMOCRATIC

        

        

No doubt, life is all about learning from yesterday, living for today, and hoping for tomorrow. But as we learn from our yesterday, we ought not to allow the fear of the past affect the outlook of our future; in other words, we are expected to live for what tomorrow has to bring, not what yesterday has taken away.

        

It is apparent that the long awaited 2015 general elections have successfully come and gone, but the fact remains that the injuries sustained by many during the said polls might linger for many months, if not years, before they get completely healed. Same phenomenon is observed in a situation whereby the scar of a certain wound sustained remained indelible on the victim’s skin after several years the wound got healed.

        

Though, retired General Mohammadu Buhari emerged victorious at the just concluded Presidential polls, which automatically places him as the incoming democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but some of the shocks he acquired prior to or during the aforementioned era can never be forgotten in a hurry. One of the primary causes of the said shocks is not unconnected to the campaign of calumny that was embarked upon by the various political parties, including his, during the electioneering phase.

         

Presently, the news making the rounds is that one of the foremost visual broadcasting outfits in the country, the African Independent Television (AIT) was barred by the President-Elect under the auspices of his political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) from covering any of his future activities henceforth regardless of the nature of the activity. One may ask what could warrant the pronouncement of such undemocratic utterance.

         

It would be recalled that during the electioneering period, there was a certain documentary concerning Mohammadu Buhari that was televised on the media station in question, which obviously dented the image of the retired General alongside that of his family. As soon as the piece went on air for the first time, the national leadership of the APC cried foul, stating that such act was not just irrational and barbaric but totally dastardly and unacceptable. In the same vein, there was also a similar piece concerning another chieftain of the party who happens to be the past governor of Lagos State – Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu that was equally televised by AIT, in which the former hurriedly took the matter to court in protest of the inhumane act.

        

In reaction to the restriction imposed on the electronic media outfit by the incoming President, the founder cum Chairman of the DAAR Communications Plc, which is the umbrella body of the AIT, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has stated that the action or directive was purely unconstitutional, hence cannot be abide by or adhered to, by any licensed broadcasting company in Nigeria, talk more of AIT which is an international organization. Chief Dokpesi went further to state that the pronouncement was baseless and lacks any jurisdiction, citing some sections of the Nigerian constitution to that effect.

        

My stance in this scenario, as a concerned citizen, is nothing but for the fact that that utterance publicly made by the incoming President via his political party – the APC, was undemocratic. It is true and apparent that the President-Elect was severely hurt and humiliated by the media firm in question, but the recent step taken by the aggrieved party is unequivocally unwholesome to the Nigeria’s democracy, which many are saying has finally come to stay in the country.

        

 Without mincing words, such act has the tendency of biasing the mindset of millions of Nigerians who are already in an euphoric mood owing to the recent victory recorded with the opinion that the ‘awaited Messiah’ is about to take over the mantle of leadership or the helm of affairs of the ‘Giant of Africa’. Considering this singular fact, the people involved were supposed to have a thorough thought over their intended action and its likely consequence before unfolding it as they have rightly done.

         

 I’m of the view that a diplomatic measure would have been taken rather than this, which might tell on the democratic system of our great nation, Nigeria. Suffice it to say; dialogue would have been the most appropriate measure to be taken instead of a harsh treatment. But it is not yet late for the suggested approach to be utilized; hence there is still room to reverse the proclamation for the interest of the Nigerian citizenry at large.

        

 Someone may be fighting a just cause, but the manner he uses to approach the issue might worsen it or even make him be misunderstood by the affected individuals. Surely, Gen Buhari’s action in alliance with his political party is justifiable but there are so many peaceful and amicable ways they could use to actualize their motive instead of putting up a statement that might sound not unlike an ear-sore before the general public. Thus I appeal for a redress.

           

In view of the above suggestion, I enjoin our amiable incoming President to candidly bury his anger as well as overlook the injury he sustained while in the battle field for posterity sake and for the interest of our children yet unborn. He shouldn’t allow the fear of his past to affect the outlook of the country’s future, rather he is expected to learn a lesson from the said past.

           

Frankly speaking, every country needs the media for the sustenance of her democracy; though broadcasting involving calumny must not be condoled by any citizen who has the interest of this country at heart. Think about it!

COMR FRED NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador) 

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056