Warri – Mr. Fisayo Soyombo, founding Editor for Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has warned journalists to always count the cost and be ready to pay the prize in carrying out investigations warning that , no investigation was worth the life of any journalist.
Soyombo, a writer and investigative journalist, said this during the training organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, in collaboration with the International Freedom Of Expression Exchange(IFEX) where over 50 journalists were trained on Safety Best Practices On Investigation, Coverage And Reportage Of Dangerous Assignments.
Speaking during the one -day webinar, Fisayo while taking particpants through a practical session based on his personal experience garnered over the years, reiterated the need for journalists to always have a well spelt out plan before going to the field and ensure they stick to the plan .
Speaking on the theme ” Dangerous Assignments: Lesson On The Field”, Soyombo harped on the need for journalists to always protect files and documents by ensuring that they are stored daily and far away from where they are carrying out their investigation so as not to lose vital information already gathered.
“Transfer your files to secured locations or devices immediately or daily. And don’t underestimate the possibility of being found out when carrying out sensitive duties.”
He urged journalists to always get the highest standard of protective equipment.
According to Fisayo, careful collaboration with trusted source is key in investigative journalism and urged participants to always create an exit strategy before embarking on sensitive assignments.
“No big investigation can be done alone. You need fixers, information, perspectives that can only be possible when you interact with people. And they can make or mar you and your investigations. So, trust people in circumspect,” Soyombo warned.
He cautioned journalists to always seek professional advise especially during pandemics so as to protect themselves , family and people around them.
He urged participants to read and write as often as possible and count the cost and be ready to pay the prize for the outcome of their investigation but however warned that no investigation was worth their lives.
Other speakers at the training included Dr. Uzo Israel, Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), who spoke on “the topic “Managing Stress , Trauma And Other Psychological /Mental Health Challenges In The Coverage Of Pandemics And Crisis Situations” , who said, both water and relaxation therapies were best tools for managing stress adding that they were cheap and without any side effects.
Dr. Israel, advised the participants to maintain healthy nutrition, relaxation , regular exercise (tailored to suit individuals) and sleep patterns especially when under pressure to meet deadlines; she added that trauma experienced during reporting has a tendency to overwhelm journalists’ ability to cope with work and life.
According to her, COVID-19 has challenged existing models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which are by-products of past events, adding that research has shown that people now exhibit stress symptoms as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged participants to always have positive attitude about life.
On his part, Mr. Cutrupi Gillo, of IFEX, while speaking on the topic “Safety Reporting Challenges Offline and Online”, reminded journalists that security of their devices and optimal confidentiality is key to safe practice of the profession.
Mr. Gillo , a security expert, emphasized the need to ensure that devices as well as apps are locked while introducing new softwares that are safer for Information storage apart from the regular ones and urged participants to always conduct regular checklists and also secure their electronic mails for future purposes.
He warned journalists against visiting unknown and unverified websites that could compromise their devices and data.
The Executuve Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Ogundade while welcoming participants to the training, said that, the training was one of the components of a project on ‘Enhanced Safety Awareness for Nigeria Journalists’ being implemented by IPC with the support of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of organisations that promote and defend the right to freedom of expression and information.
He explained that IFEX also supports the building of appropriate capacities for journalists including safety in investigative reporting, digital security and management of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mr. Arogundade highlighted that the training was expected to enhance the reporters capacity to manage difficult safety challenges while carrying out their assignments. He enjoined all participants to practice with increased confidence and manage dangerous situations effectively.
“This workshop is expected to enhance capacity to manage difficult safety challenges while carrying out our work. Participating journalists are expected to be able to practice with increased confidence and manage dangerous situations .
“when the media is constantly attacked and intimidated, the society suffers information scarcity. Government, civil society, businesses, and individuals all loose when the media cannot do it’s job of bringing reliable information to the public.”
Speaking further, he said, the training became imperative because the importance of journalists’ safety cannot be over emphasized, especially since journalists have to face the challenge of publicising information in a new and challenging but repressive environment, despite being poorly equipped and in some cases having limited knowledge and skills.
The over 50 participant were drawn from the print, broadcast, online journalists,and bloggers among whom were journalists assaulted or harassed in different ways in the course of covering the current Covid -19 pandemic in the southern States of Nigeria.
