*Media's Role in Nigeria's Value Shift Under Scrutiny at Catholic Media Practitioners' National Training* *-By Ruben Mario Brodrick* A thought-provoking paper examining the role of the media in shaping value orientation in Nigeria, amidst concerns over rising "neo-paganism," was presented by Professor Armstrong Idachaba during a recent national virtual training organized by the Executive and members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN). The paper, titled "The Role of the Media in Value Orientation in the Wake of Neo-paganism in Nigeria," has ignited a crucial conversation among media professionals about the ethical responsibilities of their industry in the country.

*Media's Role in Nigeria's Value Shift Under Scrutiny at Catholic Media Practitioners' National Training* 

 *-By Ruben Mario Brodrick* 

 A thought-provoking paper examining the role of the media in shaping value orientation in Nigeria, amidst concerns over rising "neo-paganism," was presented by Professor Armstrong Idachaba during a recent national virtual training organized by the Executive and members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN). 

The paper, titled "The Role of the Media in Value Orientation in the Wake of Neo-paganism in Nigeria," has ignited a crucial conversation among media professionals about the ethical responsibilities of their industry in the country.

The paper, authored by the Dean of Management Sciences at Veritas University-Abuja, delves into the weight of Nigerian society now placed on its morals and ethics, particularly in the face of what the author describes as a growing influence of "neo-paganism."

Drawing on social psychology's concept of Social Value Orientation (SVO), which explores how individuals allocate resources between themselves and others, Professor Idachaba's works questions whether the Nigerian media is promoting or eroding the nation's core values, a central theme during the CAMPAN training.

The paper cites Florence Modupe Osalusi and Abayomi Olusegun Ajayi (2021), who define values as "the beliefs and standards that are important to us and that make us behave the way we do." It notes that while societal values are not static, the current shift appears to be towards "moral decadence and moral laxity," which the author equates with a form of modern paganism, a point of significant discussion among the Catholic media practitioners.

Professor Idachaba acknowledges Nigeria's pluralistic nature, as highlighted by Elendu (2009) and Lipman (2010), where values are often influenced by ethnicity, religion, education, and tribalism. However, he also points to a level of cultural assimilation that has led to certain shared national values, a concept explored within the context of media's impact during the CAMPAN training.

These national values, according to Oluwagbohunmi (2017), include patriotism, loyalty, honesty, dedication to duty, cleanliness, obedience, self-discipline, self-reliance, and respect for national symbols. The paper elaborates on several of these, emphasizing the historical importance of honesty, respect, cooperation, tolerance, hard work, and respect for human life in traditional Nigerian societies.

The Rise of "Neo-Paganism" and the Media's Influence - A Focus at CAMPAN Training

Professor Idachaba argued during the CAMPAN virtual session that the media, especially social media, has become a significant vehicle for the propagation of this "neo-paganism." He contended that the Nigerian media landscape now reflects "anti-social vices" such as corruption, dishonesty, greed, violent crimes, lack of accountability, indiscipline, disrespect for authority, laziness, and low moral courage. This assessment resonated with many participants at the training.

The paper is particularly critical of social media, labeling it a "new graveyard for morality" where "anything goes," citing examples like nudity, abusive language, and LGBT content.

 Mainstream media also comes under scrutiny, with accusations of promoting idolatry, lasciviousness, excessive drinking and smoking, banalities, and consumerism.

 Reality shows like "Big Brother" were cited as examples prioritizing profit over the deliberate promotion of values, a point that sparked considerable discussion among the Catholic media professionals.

Professor Idachaba referenced his earlier work, "Media Utilization (2022)," noting the "double-edged sword" of social media, bringing both good and fear. He highlighted issues like cyberbullying, trolling, sexting, internet addiction, cybercrime, online pornography, fake news, hate speech, and violence as negative consequences, issues that CAMPAN members are actively grappling with in their work.

An anecdote about a young man's "joke" on social media leading to a security alert in Spain underscores the author's concern about the lack of values guiding online behavior. Furthermore, a survey conducted at Veritas University in 2023 among Mass Communication students revealed a preference for entertainment over news, significant time spent on social media, and a reluctance towards adult supervision online, suggesting a growing disconnect from traditional values, a trend of concern for the Catholic media practitioners.

A Call to Action: Re-orienting Values - Discussed at CAMPAN Training

Professor Idachaba's paper, presented to the CAMPAN members, doesn't just diagnose the problem; it also proposes a way forward, emphasizing that the responsibility for upholding and promoting social values rests on multiple shoulders, including families, schools, the government, and the media itself. This call to action was a key focus of the virtual training.

The paper stresses the crucial role of parents as primary custodians of national values, advocating for them to be role models and nurture their children.

 Schools are also highlighted as vital institutions for imparting knowledge, skills, and values, with teachers playing a key role in the moral development of children. The inclusion of moral education in the curriculum and teachers leading by example are recommended.

The government is urged to lead by example, embodying patriotism, loyalty, and honesty. Religious bodies are called upon to intensify the inculcation of acceptable national values within their congregations, a mission central to the work of CAMPAN members.

Social Studies is presented as a critical agent for national value sustainability, with a well-planned curriculum aimed at solving the country's problems. The paper also calls for the active involvement of agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA), civil society groups, and NGOs in raising awareness and internalizing societal values.

Conclusion: The Media as a Potent Tool - A Challenge for CAMPAN

Professor Idachaba concluded his presentation to the Catholic media professionals by stating that the Nigerian media remains the most potent tool for value re-orientation, describing it as the "King of society" and a "mind tender and mind leader." He urged the government and stakeholders, including media practitioners themselves, to be deliberate in addressing the challenges posed by the current media landscape, showing interest in the content consumed and created by the youth. The paper ended with a strong call to action for the NOA, parents, the government, film producers, and broadcasters to implement deliberate policy initiatives to tackle this challenge, a challenge that resonated deeply with the mandate of CAMPAN.

This paper, presented at the national virtual training of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, is expected to spark further debate and discussion among academics, media practitioners, policymakers, and the public regarding the crucial role of the media in shaping the moral fabric of Nigerian society.