• • • • • Only a few months old, the new Access to information Act is still to be tested. However, it is important to build the capacity of journalists on how to take advantage of the legislation, which could make their work easier and more effective. ICTs – and the growth of new media like cell phones and social media platforms – offer alternative outlets that can help journalists overcome the problem of self-censorship, and report stories with more boldness. Given this advantage, it is important to encourage more journalists to make use of the new storytelling tools available. Given the important role of public broadcasting, panellists agreed that it is important to educate public authorities on the need to transform state-run broadcasters into veritable public service outlets – which give everyone a voice. Panellists recommended that civil society organisations need to maintain and step up the pressure for the transformation of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission into a truly independent regulatory body. Two committees were set up to develop action plans around the most urgent needs, in association with the rest of the panel. They are: (i) The welfare of Journalists (ii) The launch of the Nigeria 2011 African Media Barometer (AMB). The Panel: Name Function Auwal Babangida Unionist Dr Lydia Umar Civil Society Amaechi Anakwue Tukur Abdulraham Journalist Miriam Menkiti Journalist Lanre Arogundade Civil Society Mazi Anariochi Ezuma Civil Society Emmanuel Anyaegbunam Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika Akin Akingbulu Innocent Azih 58 Journalist AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2011 Civil Society/ Lawyer Lecturer /Communication expert Media representative Civil Society