By Vera Anyagafu & Elizabeth Uwandu

With the advent of digital technology, the role of media in educating, informing and influencing public opinion, especially in the reportage of child’s protection and sensitive issues like gender, religious and ethnic variations, have continued to raise questions on whether the media was geared towards ethical or sensational journalism.

Participants at the event in Lagos.

It was therefore the desire to expose journalists on the tools of digital media in promoting and sustaining mutual understanding for societal developments and peace co-habitation where everyone freedom and right was protected, irrespective of sex, age or ethnic-religious affinity that madeBritish Council Nigeria to host the first maiden Capacity Building Workshop for the media recently in Lagos.  Lucy Pearson, Country Director, British Council Nigeria said the maiden capacity building workshop was part of ways the Council aimed to create new opportunities of knowledge sharing among key stakeholders. “As UK’s international Organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, British Council Nigeria constantly seeks different ways of creating opportunities by providing platforms where knowledge can be shared amongst key stakeholders. For us, this workshop is timely as we constantly seek to develop different sectors in the economy through capacity building initiatives and the media is one of such based on the huge role they play in the society,” noted Pearson.

Speaking on child’s protection, Maria Williams, British Council, Child Protection Project Manager who raised alarm over high rate of abuse against children aged below 18years said the media has obligation to protect children by not furthering exposing them to abuse through sensational reporting, rather the Nigerian Press Council Code on rights of a child should be applied.

Her words,” At British Council, we believe that child protection requires everyone to take responsibility and that every child matters. We recognize that the care, protection and welfare of children is paramount and that all the children have the right to be protected from all types of harm.

“And one such harm is indecent exposure of the child. As media, you should know that children also have rights. Hence, the  National Press Council Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists under children and minors that state that, “A journalist should not identify, either by name or picture, or Interview children under the age of 16 who are involved in cases concerning sexual offences, crimes and rituals or witchcraft either as victims, witnesses or defendant,” should be the guiding principle in reporting issues that concern them,” added Williams. On her part, Lauratu Umar Abdusalam, communication specialist and Media Engagement Advisor, Palladium who spoke on conflict sensitive journalism explained that journalists have the power to fuel or calm conflicts through presentation of sensitive issues.

The media analyst also noted that issues surrounding conflict such as gender, pointed out that conflict was gender based because gender determined who participated in conflicts, the role played, who was targeted and how; called on journalists to shun gender-blind approach and social exclusion in reporting sensitive issues.

Hear her, “Journalists should shun these approaches; sensationalizing crime , sometimes to point of voyeurism; to victimize the victim; and reporting crime as an isolated event, not part of a process with no attempt to follow up.

“ Efforts should be to report facts of crime in a balance, responsible way by giving a bigger picture via getting legal context; voices of civil and human rights groups; report on survivor-focused without minimizing his or her suffering; and do a follow up crime related stories by tracking police investigation , legal process and court case, etc. “ added Mrs Abdulsalam.

The capacity workshop also featured trainings on branding and digital marketing by renowned marketing expert Lampe Omoyele; Power of collaboration globally by renowned journalist Peter Ogbu Okwoche, a Senior Reporter at the BBC in London and The influence of digital in how journalists operate and report news by Abasiama Idaraesit, Managing Director, Wild Fusion Limited.