Nigerian journalists gather to build capacity on conflict sensitive election reporting

Ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, the International Press Centre (IPC) is set to train about 60 online journalists and bloggers from across the country on conflict sensitive reporting online.

The workshops which are to take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, between September 18 and 21, according to Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, is part of activities being implemented under Component 4b: Support to the media of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project.

Arogundade said the training will seek to enhance the capacity of the participants to use online media for the responsible reporting of elections by being language sensitive, conflict sensitive and checking hate speech in the online environment.

To ensure the attainment of the objectives, the workshops will feature presentations by media scholars and seasoned journalists.

At Abeokuta, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, Dean, College of Social and Management Sciences (COSOMAS), Caleb University, Imota-Nigeria will speak on ‘Understanding communication challenges in the age of conflict, hate speech and fake news’ and ‘Sticking to ethics and professionalism in online reporting’.

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Dr. Qasim Akinreti, Assistant News Editor, Voice of Nigeria (VON)/Chairman, Lagos Council of NUJ will speak on ‘Giving practical effect to conflict sensitive reporting online’ and ‘Social Media and Elections: Knowing and Dealing with the Challenges’ while Dr. Dan Jibo of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan will address ‘Understanding conflict, its nature and character’ and ‘Contemporary conflicts in Nigeria and possible impact on media and Coverage of 2019 elections: the pitfalls to avoid in Online Reporting’.

In Abuja, Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University Kano, will focus on ‘Understanding Conflict: Its Nature & Character’ and ‘Hate Speech & Fake News: Imperatives of Ethics & Professionalism in Online Reporting in Nigeria’.

Dr. Y.Z Yau, Executive Director, CITAD will present on ‘Contemporary Conflicts in Nigeria and Possible Impact on Media Coverage of 2019 Elections’ and ‘Monitoring of Hate Speech Online: Observations, Lessons and Recommendations from Outcomes’ while Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-In-Chief, Premium Times will take participants through ‘Social Media & Elections: Giving Practical Effect to Conflict Sensitive Reporting Online’ and ‘News gathering & Newsroom Gate keeping in Era of Hate Speech: Tips on Pitfalls to Avoid’.

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