By Barth Ikiebe.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has emphasized that for the media to maintain true independence, it must be economically viable.
He made this remark during a weeklong training programme for Chief Executive Officers of leading Nigerian media organisations.
Our correspondent reports that the initiative was hosted simultaneously in Abuja and Lagos, and jointly organised by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria and Channels Academy.
The programme, themed Journalism Innovation and Sustainable Media Business, aimed to empower media leaders with tools to refine their business models, explore innovative revenue strategies, and enhance audience engagement.
Highlighting the essential role of a free press in any democracy, Mills noted, “A free and independent press is the backbone of any strong democracy. For the media to remain truly independent, it must also be economically viable.”
He expressed hope that the training would spark lasting innovation and collaboration among Nigerian media professionals.
Stacia Philips, a former U.S. media executive and training team lead, described the workshop as a platform for building lasting professional networks and sharing best practices.
She shared insights from her three decades in U.S. newsrooms, encouraging media outlets to embrace innovation by leveraging technology, optimising operations, developing talent, and diversifying revenue streams.
“There is no one-size-fits-all model,” she said, noting that participants embraced ideas such as pooled coverage and joint content distribution to extend their reach.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with such a diverse group of Nigerian media leaders. Their commitment to adaptation and innovation gives hope for a media future marked by transparency, accountability, and progress,” Philips added.
Channels Academy General Manager Kingsley Uranta stressed the need for collaborative and forward-thinking solutions to address the rapidly evolving media landscape. He praised the U.S. Mission’s support and noted that the programme had already sparked increased cooperation among participants.
“In these challenging times, the future of the media depends on our ability to innovate and co-create,” Uranta said. “Channels Academy remains committed to empowering media leaders to build a resilient and dynamic industry.”
The U.S. Mission regularly supports similar programmes, including the International Visitor Leadership Programme, Foreign Press Centre, and International Reporting Tours, to promote independent journalism in Nigeria and beyond.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
