The Director, Public Affairs Unit, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Adebayo Kehinde, has reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with community media practitioners across the state, describing them as vital stakeholders in promoting credible information dissemination and grassroots enlightenment.
Mr. Kehinde made this known while addressing participants at the Year 2025 Community Media Interactive Session, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the T-Block Conference Room, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
The event drew the attendance of community media practitioners from across Lagos State, who converged to engage in constructive dialogue on the evolving role of community journalism in promoting good governance and civic participation.
In his address, Mr. Kehinde acknowledged the crucial role community media continues to play in deepening democracy and empowering local populations, noting that it has evolved into a “powerful tool for enlightening people, empowering local communities, promoting participatory governance, and holding leaders accountable.”
He explained that the strength of community media lies in its unique ability to reach remote and marginalized communities, providing them with access to relevant information, education, and platforms for expression.
“With its unique ability to reach remote and marginalised communities, providing them with access to information, education, and platforms for expression, community media, if well-managed, would eventually become the sole means for promoting civic engagement, voter education, and community development initiatives,” Mr. Kehinde stated.
While acknowledging the various challenges facing community media — such as limited resources, censorship, and sustainability issues — the Director encouraged practitioners to see these hurdles as opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
He emphasized that by leveraging emerging technologies and forming strategic partnerships, community media could significantly broaden its reach and influence.
Mr. Kehinde further charged practitioners to uphold the ethics of journalism by maintaining accuracy, balance, and fairness in their reportage.
“You must engage with your audiences, listen to their concerns, and provide platforms for their voices to be heard. By doing so, you can build trust, credibility, and a loyal following — whether as print, electronic, or new media practitioners,” he advised.
He also urged community media professionals to continue promoting transparency and accountability in governance, stressing that their work aligns with the Ministry’s objective of ensuring that credible information flows effectively to the grassroots.
“On our part as the Information Office of the Ministry, we will continue to collaborate with you to ensure that credible information is cascaded to the grassroots,” he assured.
“We also urge you to give wide coverage to the Ministry’s initiatives and policies to ensure they reach the intended audiences at the community level.”
In conclusion, Mr. Kehinde reiterated that the Ministry firmly believes in the transformative potential of community media in promoting good governance, civic participation, and grassroots enlightenment in Lagos State.
“Together, we can build a more informed, engaged, and democratic society,” he concluded.
The interactive session, which brought together representatives from print, broadcast, and online community media platforms across the state, served as a unifying platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies aimed at strengthening the bond between the Lagos State Government and grassroots media practitioners.
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