By Shola Ojo
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged aviation journalists and media houses to avoid sensational and panic reporting, saying such reports are dangerous to the growth of the country’s aviation industry. That appeal was the crux of a two-day workshop that brought together journalists and aviation experts to discuss the critical role of the media in promoting aviation safety and security in Nigeria.
The workshop, titled “Driving Aviation Safety and Security Through Effective Regulation – The Role of the Media,” was organized by the Public Relations Department of the NCAA in partnership with Tom Associates and held at a hotel in Nasarawa state. The event aimed to educate media professionals on the importance of accurate and responsible reporting in the aviation sector.
A veteran in aviation safety regulation from Tom Associates, Dr. Ola Azeez, took participants through the workshop, highlighting the vital role of the media in raising awareness about safety and security concerns, holding authorities accountable, and promoting transparency. He emphasized the need for media professionals to understand NCAA regulations and policies to report effectively and avoid sensationalism and panic reporting.
“By fulfilling its roles, the media contributes significantly to maintaining the highest safety and security standards, ultimately safeguarding passengers’ lives and the aviation industry’s integrity,” Dr. Azeez said. “The aviation industry is not a joke, and all stakeholders must be deliberate in playing their roles in the interest of passengers and the country as a whole.”
The highlight of the capacity-building training included insightful presentations and interactive sessions, where participants discussed challenges in reporting aviation news and shared ideas on enhancing the quality and impact of their reportage going forward.
NCAA was created by an Act of Parliament in 1999 to perform statutory responsibilities of ensuring regulation, monitoring, and promotion of the safety, security, economic, and reliability of air navigation oversight in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The Authority effectively commenced operations on January 1, 2000.
Photo: Participants at a two-day workshop organized by the Public Relations Department of the NCAA in partnership with Tom Associates held at a hotel in Nasarawa state in August 2024.
