PORT HARCOURT- The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday received commendation for organizing a two day capacity building training on factual reportage for Journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the South- South geopolitical region.
The training focussed on conflict sensitive reporting, 2023 general election and countering fake news.
A participant, Ozekizibe Etete of the Niger- Delta Television (NDTV), Bayelsa State, during an interview with the Nigerian Observer Newspaper stated that the training has helped to broaden her knowledge of peace reportage/peace journalism.She pledged to put deliberate efforts into her reportage to highlight issues which foster peace.
She encouraged Journalists to be sensitive with their choice and use of language especially those which stereotype people and their regions. She encouraged the Nigerian populace to cut out inflammatory words that promote crisis in society during the 2023 electoral process.
A resource person from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Mr. Chibuike Utaka who mentored participants on, “Conflict sensitive reporting in elections,” cautioned against stereotyping people, use of inflammatory/foul descriptive language which display ethnic, religious, cultural beliefs or biases and the act of sending out unverified inflammatory information that can incite, cause fear or conflict in society.
He hammered on the need to scrutinize and tone down on the use and choice of language to deescalate conflicts, correct misinformation, educate, sensitize and pinpoint solutions, alongside speaking the truth while on the field of duty during the electoral process.
Journalists were reminded of the need to remain apolitical, fact check before publishing reports for accuracy, keeping a low profile while gathering news, keeping safe to avoid becoming soft targets and casualties of the electoral process despite the pressure to turn in exclusive reports or breaking news from their establishments.
He reminded journalists to be safety conscious at all times due to the obvious fact that the Nigerian society was yet to celebrate its media heroes and heroines who died on the field of duty. He sued for vigilance.
A communique was later drafted which focused on raised issues and the need for Journalists and CSOs to double check and fact check information to counter incidents of fake news.
