The Editor-in-Chief, National Record, Iduh Lawrence Onah has tasked journalists in Nigeria to engage in ethical investigation of issues concerning violation of rights of workers, sexual harassment, abuse of rights of people with disabilities, unfair labour or precarious labour practices by employers – whether public or private in the County.
Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Onah made the call in Abuja on Monday in his welcome remarks at a three days Internal Retreat/Training Workshop on investigative journalism organized by National Record with support from MacArthur foundation through Whole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism.
He said that it is important for the media to hold accountable government at all levels, public servants, private organisations and individuals in positions of authority for their actions and inactions.
According to him, the organization is committed to an open society governed by civilized, democratic and accountable norms; a society whose governance code is people-driven for a secure and sustainable future.
He averred that the Essence of the programme beyond the broad objective of building the capacity of journalists is mainly meant to sharpen the professional instinct of participants in the area of investigative or accountability journalism, so that in the end, they will be commissioned to carry out investigation and report on issues affecting the Nations development.
Continuing Onah said "To speak for and defend workers interests; to sustainably serve as a channel through which progressive politics, trade union issues and generally where concerns of vulnerable groups will always receive prime attention.
"Our broad focus under the CMEDIA Project is tracking and investigating labour-related issues, including workplace sexual abuse/harassment; abuse of rights of marginalised groups by public and private entities as well as harmful environmental activities of national and multinational corporations in local communities".
In his paper presentation on Investigative Reporting, "What should journalists investigate" a Judge from Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism by
Dr Theophilus Abbah said journalists should avoid being rubber stamped but rather engage on investigative issues that would correct the wrongs in the Society.
Abbah stated that,for an investigative story to add value to the society, the journalists must consider the significance of the investigation, unraveling the crime impact on the lives of the people, and have the skills and capacity to unravel crime.
He itemized fraud, conflict of interest, waste and management, murder, organized crimes,, cybercrime, drug abuse, sex and related offences, procurement fraud as some of the things journalists should Investigate to put an end to corruption in Nigeria.
He reminded journalists that investigative story is not a news story, feature or an interview it involves research, digging deep to unravel fraudulent activities in the Country.
Other paper presented during the day one of the training was "investigative journalism: Practical Guides to Writing Your Report by Ejekwonyilo Ameh, from Premium Times.
Participants at the three days investigative were drawn from Kogi Benue and Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
It was gathered that, the programme is supported by the McArthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) in a 3-year project under the theme: “Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability,” otherwise known as CMEDIA Project.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
Sponsored Ad
Our strategic editorial policy of promoting journalism, anchored on the tripod of originality, speed and efficiency, would be further enhanced with your financial support.
Your kind contribution, to our desire to become a big global brand, should be credited to our account:
Fresh Angle Nig. Ltd
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0130931842.
BANK GTB.
×
![]()