FMC, Taraba News Forge Collaboration Path

 

In an effort to  foster sound communication in addressing public perceptions, Public Relations officials from Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo, on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, engaged in a productive dialogue with media representatives. 

Members of the FMC delegation expressed a desire to respond to recent posts about the organization and sought clarification on potential access to the media platform. They also desired to reach a larger audience, similar to that provided by Taraba News.

During the meeting, the FMC head of Public Relations, Mr. Joseph Agev, emphasized the principle of innocence until proven guilty, while stressing the importance of fair representation. The organization expressed its aspiration not only to respond to allegations but also to showcase its services to the public and strike a balance between positive and negative portrayals.

The publisher of Taraba News, Mr. Gabriel Olayinka, expressed gratitude to FMC for visiting the the most popular media outfit in the State. He referred to previous attempts to get the FMC's attention, while also acknowledging public posts that raised concerns and a petition about a doctor's improper behaviour towards a patient. These instances highlighted the importance of presenting a balanced and complete picture. The publisher even confirmed approving these posts to catch the FMC's attention.

The need to maintain equilibrium in storytelling was discussed, along with the necessity of obtaining the hospital's perspective. A collaborative spirit was evident as various avenues for cooperation, including online and newspaper insertions in the tri-weekly publication, were explored.

In a commitment to journalistic integrity, the media platform pledged that no story would be disseminated without obtaining the FMC's viewpoint. Furthermore, Taraba News, a respected news outlet, would assess conflicting accounts and exercise unbiased judgment.

Monetizing promotional content was introduced, where organizations could pay for sponsored posts to spotlight their visits and infrastructure. Apart from sponsored posts, a retainership system of promotion could also be adopted, covering the whole year and the client is entitled to all the papers released. This innovative feature opens opportunities for FMC to showcase its positive initiatives.

The FMC delegation acknowledged the distinction between the Public Relations (PR) department and financial control. Notably, a comprehensive proposal was to be forwarded to the Chief Executive for approval, ensuring transparency in financial matters.

Joseph Agev, the head of the FMC Public Relations unit, explained how the Centre handles staff behaviour and has committees to address complaints by employees.

Overall, the visit by FMC officials marked a milestone toward transparent communication, bridging gaps in perception, and fostering a collaborative relationship with the media platform.