Stallion Times Media Services Organises a One Day Workshop on Conflict Sensitive Reporting For Kogi Journalists
By Aisha Audu
National Secretary, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Mr. Shuaibu Leman has called on journalists in Nigeria to shun fake news but instead developed interest in investigative journalism and objective reporting.
Leman made the statement at a One Day workshop Organised by Stallion Times Media Services at Modern Age Event Hall, Opposite Mama’s Christians Academy, Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to him,it was imperative that journalists should hold government and all leaders accountable in spite of the harassment thrown at them.
Speaking on “Fake News” and “Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Safety of Journalists”, he called for caution in reporting conflicts and not to become casualties at the end.
He noted the poor renumeration, poverty, anti-media laws, insufficient insurance cover, poor working conditions and advent of digital journalism as part of reasons for fake news in the society.
He advised the media practitioners to put journalistic conscience in their reportage to avoid fake and damaging reports of negative impact in the country.
While addressing the participants, the Project Coordinator, Stallion Times Isiaku Mohammed said it is the responsibility of the Journalist to put his conscience of journalism into play in his or her write up to create positive impact in the society.
In his words “Nigeria is our country and so we should take it upon ourselves as journalist to write reports that would promote peace and unity in the nation .
“This is why investigative reporting is very essential to journalists at putting the facts objectively, accurately and timely toward promoting good governance,” he added.
He urged journalists not to exercise fear but be cautious while doing their work especially in resolving conflicts in the society.
Earlier, the Kogi NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Momoh Jimoh who was represented by the secretary Alhaji Sai’du Haruna thanked the organisers for the show of concern and interest on arming journalists in the state with adequate knowledge on investigative reporting.
Jimoh appealed to journalists not to neglect the ethics of their profession and he also expressed optimism that the objective of the capacity building would be achieved.
