Human Rights Violations: Journalists urged to wake up to professionalism
Jimmie Adzande/Erdoo Due/Enyi Ochapa
Journalists have been urged to wake up to their task, as agents of change in the society. In a 4 day workshop, put together by Search for Common Ground in Makurdi, Journalists were sensitize on the need to promote collaborative efforts with stakeholders like the police, in fighting human rights violations.
The Journalists, drawn from the Print, Radio and Television across the state, were also trained on constructive advocacy, to strengthen their capacity in conflict sensitive reportage. The Head of office, Middle Belt Nigeria of Search for Common Ground, Chris Anthony Ogbonna stated that the global organisation is poised towards equipping Journalists with the needed skills in conflict sensitivity and human rights violation reportage.
Participants applauded the organizers. They note that search for Common Ground has changed their perspectives of the profession.
A participant and Journalist with the Sun newspapers, expressed readiness to collaborate with various stakeholders across Benue and Nigeria, to achieve the targeted goals.
Donatus Orga- Afia of Radio Benue said, the workshop is expected to further build synergy between the media and the security agencies, in fighting criminality. According to the resource person, this is an experiment that might be meet with challenges.
Emmanuel Ohiomokhare- Media Consultant and resource person at the workshop said the project is currently implemented in Adamawa and Benue with six local government areas selected for the phase.
Nigerians are worried about the growing rate of violent conflicts including human rights violations. To this, Search for Common Ground feels, the organised media can do a lot in curtailing the worrisome situation in the country.
Certificates were presented at the end of the workshop and participants expected to engage in practicals with the project.
