Owerri, the Imo State capital recently played host to Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) 2026 National Convention
Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
At its 2026 national convention held in Owerri the Imo State capital, the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) urged journalists across the country to embrace responsible, human-centred reportarge, especially when covering violence and conflicts, in an era where breaking news often competes with humanity.
The association called for a reset, one that places compassion above clicks and dignity above human life.
In a four-day gathering, themed, “The Media and Violence Reporting in Nigeria: Preserving the Human Element in a Technology-Driven Communication Ecosystem,” which brought together practitioners committed to reshaping narratives in a rapidly evolving digital media space, CAMPAN urged the media to accord dignity to victims of violence.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the convention, CAMPAN emphasised that victims of violence must never be reduced to mere statistics or sensational content.
Instead, members resolved to report with empathy, safeguarding the dignity and privacy of those affected.
The association also stressed the need for strengthened investigative journalism to promote accountability and transparency, noting that unchecked power fuels impunity.
It encouraged journalists to act as “bridge-builders and not wall-builders” fostering unity and healing through quality reportage rather than deepening societal divisions.
Reaffirming its commitment to truth and ethical standards, CAMPAN called on media professionals to actively combat misinformation and uphold the principles of accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
Further, it urged journalists to amplify the voices of marginalised groups, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not ignored in mainstream discourse.
Beyond reporting, the association pledged to expand its impact by collaborating with communication directors across Catholic dioceses to drive projects that benefit both the Church and wider society.
While appealing to the government and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of journalists, CAMPAN also encouraged media organisations to invest in training and uphold professionalism within the industry.
The resolutions reflect a broader call for dialogue, responsibility, and a renewed moral compass in Nigeria’s media landscape, one that balances speed with sensitivity and storytelling especially with social conscience in a country grappling with deep divisions.
While rejecting what her members describe as an “exclusive power arrangement” embed in the draft constitution of SIGNIS Nigeria the apex body of Catholic media practitioner world wide. A controversial clause seeking to reserve the position of National President strictly for the National Director of Social Communication.
insisting that leadership position must not be pre-determined or restricted for any individual or clerical category in SIGNIS Nigeria. It must be earned not assigned.
“It is our position that all offices, should be open to all qualified members,” the association stated, signaling a hardline stance against what many insiders now see as an attempt to centralise authority.
The resolution, described as one of the most consequential in recent times within Catholic media circles as it cautioned that when wrongdoing goes unchecked, the consequences ripple through society, eroding trust and stability.
In its view, credibility remains the profession’s most valuable currency and one that must be fiercely protected.
