The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) has stepped up a new Ombudsman mechanism with a nine-man board of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman, reports ITREALMS.
The NPO, he said, comprises of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), mid-wifed the process with other strategic media players and the civil society, in particular the MacArthur Foundation
The commission members, ITREALMS also gathered, cuts across the media, bar, academia, and civil society include Mr. Emeka Izeze , former Managing Director, Guardian Newspapers (Chairman), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President, Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) Mr. A. B Mahmoud; Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic) Paul University, Anambra State, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna; a Development & Humanitarian Specialist and Country Director, Care International (Nigeria), Dr. Hussain Abdu.
Others comprised of the Editor-in-Chief, Diamond Publications Ltd. and Founder, Diamond Awards For Media Excellence (DAME) Mr. Lanre Idowu; Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo; seasoned Journalist, Lawyer and Arbitrator, Mrs. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo; Broadcaster, Author and Columnist, and Managing Partner/CEO, Eugenia Abu Media, and the Chair, House of Representatives Committee on Information, Mrs. Eugenia Abu.
The commission will serve as an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press quickly, fairly, and free of charge; maintain high standards of Nigerian Journalism and journalistic ethics; and defend the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
Prior to this development, each media house had been directed to institute at their levels, the local Ombudsman.
The National Ombudsman will serve as an appellate body for the local Ombudsman as well as a court of first instance.
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