Members of the Lagos state community media practitioners have lamented the non-recognition of the body and lack of patronage by the Lagos State government, as well as the local governments and local council development areas of the state.
This position was made known by community media practitioners across the state at the June edition of the monthly Lagos state community media forum held at the T-Block Hall, Lagos state ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alausa, Lagos.
Mr Adesanya, Publisher of Agbowa-based tabloid Pivot Newspapers, based in Ikosi-Ejirin area in Epe Division of Lagos state who blew the lid on the development lamented ill-treatment and lack of recognition meted out to him by media officers of the LGAs and LCDAs during a recent State event in the LCDA.
Reiterating the same position, Mr Tayo Aderinola, publisher of Lagos Panorama Magazine also reminded the gathering about the strategic role of community media practitioners in the effective information dissemination from government to the masses at the grassroots.
In the same vein, Mr Kolawole Waleola also expressed displeasure at the manner of treatment meted out to him as Oriwu Sun newspaper reporters during the commissioning of the 118 roads when Governor Akinwunmi Ambode assumed office. He added that the lack of adequate media coverage of the on-going 181 road project by community media houses in Lagos State was as a result of the non-cooperative attitudes of government officials and some contractors handling the projects.
Responding, Hon Hakeem Sulaiman, a.k.a Orits, Special Adviser to the state governor on Community and Communications assured the community media owners of constant government patronage, with assurance that the quarterly advertisement patronage from the state government will be revisited.
On non-recognition by the state government, Hon Sulaiman promised to facilitate a meeting between the governor and members of the forum in due course.
Members commended the Special Adviser for his favourable disposition on all issues raised and assured him of their cooperation and support.
