ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project, (CMEDIA), has trained South-East journalists on ethics and safety measures in reporting.
CMEDIA is a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability, managed by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by MacArthur Foundation.
The one-day training on investigative reporting for journalists in the South-East, began in Imo State, Abia State and was rounded off in Enugu State, on Saturday, 10 September, 2022.
Speaking on the Fundamentals of News, Investigative Reporting/Fact Finding, the Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Mass Communication Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Enugu State, Dr. Maxwel Ngene urged journalists on the responsibility of keeping the public well-informed about important issues of national and global significance.
He said journalists are usually very conversant with the news culture and the demands it makes in upholding ethical and professional standards.
He described fact-checking as both cherished journalistic virtue as well as an indispensable tool for achieving high-quality assurance in investigative reporting.
Ngene said fact-checking news stories and reports enhances believability, reliability, and acceptability.
He stressed on the need for accuracy of fact during news writing, as the chief goal of all forms of media writing.
He said: “Whenever you are in doubt, double check. If still unsure, leave out. It is a popular practice in journalists practice.
“Accuracy aims at presenting correct information in a manner that allows the reader to interpret it accurately. When journalists do fact-checking, the result is the presentation of truthful information necessary for making informed choices and decisions.
“On the contrary, when a journalist fails to pay attention to fact-checking of documents as an important source in gathering news, the result is a story flawed with either omission or textual and statistical error.
“When we painstakingly fact-check information for news writing and other forms of writing, we have succeeded in reducing the unprecedented level of errors and misinformation contained in most of the stories we read on social media platforms.”
He further urged the journalists to have an uncompromising attitude toward the truth, fact-checking to verify misinformation, half-truths, and outright lies.
Another speaker, Mrs. Miriam Menkiti, the Executive Director Women Information Network (WINET) tasked journalists to adhere strictly to the basic ethical standard of reporting accurately, fairly and objectively being truthful, maintenance of social responsibility, avoid invasion of privacy and sycophancy.
Speaking on “Ethical Issues: What Kind of News Is News” Menkiti said a journalist is expected to tell the truth at all times, no matter how bitter.
She also said a reporter should be fairy ensuring that news, comments and criticisms are balanced.
“There shall not be exaggeration, information should be accurate without falsification or distortion,” she warned.
According to her, what makes a news is the report of recent events or unknown information, like, hard news/soft news, business news, entertainment news, sports, Human right, crime, etc.
She noted that news can come from areas like, conflict-tribe fight, Boko Haram, ethnic Nationalities, communal conflicts, strikes, politics, secessionist group, election disaster and tragedy – kidnapping, Bandit attacks on travelers, etc.
Menkiti said the public has a right to receive factual, accurate and balanced information as fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence.
The seasoned journalist and communication expert encouraged reports to always have healthy regard for the public interest, and refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information
“Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth of every event,” she added.
A DSS Operative/Security Consultant, Chief Paulinus Odo warned journalists to desist from reporting against the government which according to him, is capable of making Nigeria vulnerable.
He said that fake news threatens national security, and warned journalists to always confirm every report before publication, adding that negative reporting may lead to violence.
Speaking on Safety during investigative reporting, he urged journalists to watch out for the red flags, like fake news, wrong stories and misleading content, which are capable of spreading fear and pain among the public.
“Be careful about your self first before the news. Journalists job is Har, be suspicious of people around you,” he warned.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Coordinator of IMCAI, Dr Chidi Onumah said the training was targeted at training South-East journalists on investigative reporting as it cut across all areas and sectors in the region.
He regretted that many vital stories from the South-East are being buried, stressing that the training would help to draw national and global attention to them.