Peace Journalism: Interfaith Mediation Center Kaduna Charts Way Forward,Trains Journalists on Conflict Reporting
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
Kaduna Interfaith Mediation Center has organized peace journalism workshop in the state for journalists.
The one day Peace Journalism Workshop, organized by the Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) and supported by the OPUS Prize Foundation, which was held during the week at Lesham Continental Hotel, Barnawa, Kaduna, brought together media professionals and relevant stakeholders in the state.
The objective of the workshop was
to strategize and enhance the capacity of the media to promote peace and mitigate conflict in their reportage. Not only that, it also aims at developing a comprehensive guide for Peace Journalism practice in Nigeria.
All the same, the credibility of the noble profession should not be toiled with as he called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to rise up to the task of enhancing the credibility of the profession.
Also speaking, the Editor and Publisher Kabido Newspapers, Comrade Adamu Marshall looking at the Prospects and challenges between Conventional Journalism and the New Social Media called for a shift from the idea of “bad news is good news” kind of practice to that of solution journalism.
The infiltration of the new media where anything goes he identified as denting the image of the conventional media.
The recruitments of non professionals by some media houses owners who are looking for cheap labour at the detriment of the integrity of the profession is seen as worsening the situation.
There is the issue of fake news which needs to be checked as it is having negative effects on the journalism profession.
Marshal charged Journalists to wake up to their responsibilities by doing the needful. Making sure that they verify the sources of their materials before publishing as a way of curbing the issue of fake news.
Peoples he said hardly differentiates which news item is from genuine sources or not.
All they know is that it is from a journalist. And with the advent of new media (social media) where unqualified individuals sit at the comfort zone of their homes and dish out all manners of fake stories for public consumption, the integrity of the profession is at stake.
He advised lazy journalists involved in plagiarism to chart a new course while urging for a well defined action to be taken by authorities in charge. More so, the idea of gatekeeping which is meant to do the ‘check and balancing is no longer taken seriously, thus, the reason for all sorts of unhealthy publications in circulation today.
“The social media has thrown a lot of things off balance. For instance, we no longer have the role of gate Keeping because if you are going off the road, nobody checks you but before, definitely, there will be check.
The media instead of being truthful, fake news is everywhere. The issue of truth now has been affected because everything goes.”
On the issue of reporting cases of minors, decorum he said should be observed so as not to tarnish the future of innocent ones who at such age hardly can take concrete decisions by themselves.
“Infact, in journalism training, the picture of anybody of underaged is prohibited from being displayed no matter the offense but today, it is different.”
Marshal also frowned at the practice of some Journalists eroding into one’s privacy. A practice he considered as unethical and should be done away with.
Conventional journalism has rules which must be observed. He maintained.
“The old media respects privacy except for some media houses owners or individuals who have some ulterior motives for such acts. As for the social media, it does not.”
Speaking from the religious point of view, both Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurein Ashafa and Pastor Dr. James Movel Wuye of interfaith Mediation Center shared insights from the Quran and the Bible, respectively.
Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurein Ashafa speaking from the Islamic perspective described journalism as alert (acceptable) business.
“If there is no information sharing, is like being in a solitary confinement. Information sharing is very important” as he Quotes from the Quran to support his claim.
He called for the need to always verify information before sharing because the consequences of sharing such information can be harmful.
Quating a Quranic injunction, he said.
“Quran says, you have to investigate to get it right so that at the end of the day, we do not cause injury on innocent lives.”
The Director, Interfaith Rev. Dr. James Wuye speaking from the Christian perspective cautioned Journalists on the use of slander in their reportage. Slandering is harmful and therefore should be avoided.
Dr. Wuye stressed on the need for objectivity in reportage for better results.
“Writing that is not objective is tantamount to slander”
He supported his words with quote from the bible.
Hebrew chapter 12, verse 15.
For broader discussions and facilitation of more ideas, participants were shared into interactive groups.
At the end of session, the fora came up with a communique.
The following observations and decisions were noted.
That for decades, Nigeria has faced numerous challenges, particularly in conflict and governance fragility, which have significantly impacted the national economy.
That media’s role in addressing or mitigating these challenges is vital at every stage.
That Journalists play crucial roles in promoting peacebuilding and conflict mediation.
That recent increases in conflicts highlights a neglect of responsibilities by media professionals.
Participants noted that ethical standards have been compromised in contemporary journalism, leading to numerous undesirable consequence.
That key ethical values such as editorial independence, accuracy, privacy, privilege of non-disclosure, and public interest reporting have been neglected.
Issues like plagiarism and undue influence by media owners were also highlighted.
The forum expressed concern over the increased incidence of plagiarism in journalism and media organizations, emphasizing the negative implications for peace and national security. There was a call for strict adherence to professional ethics and codes.
Participants criticized certain unethical practices in the media, where professional ethics are often compromised under various influences, threatening societal peace and harmony.
Concerns were raised about the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) not adequately addressing the infiltration of unqualified individuals, which tarnishes the profession’s image and effectiveness.
Recommendations:
Media organizations should motivate journalists through continuous training or employ qualified professionals who understand the profession’s ethics for effective and unbiased reportage.
Journalists committed to peace should investigate issues thoroughly to establish its veracity, seek updates, and be cautious about forwarding unverified information that may threatens the peace of the society.
Journalists must avoid misleading headlines aimed at attracting sympathy and instead provide solutions to observed challenges.
Authorities should implement mechanisms to check the spread of fake news.
Participants were encouraged to embrace the four principles of Islamic Perspective on Journalism:
Truth and Truthfulness (Sidiqq)
Pedagogy (Tablig)
Moderation (Wasatiya)
Seeking the Best for the Public Interest.
The workshop concluded with a call for collective efforts to uphold the principles of Peace Journalism, fostering a more harmonious and peaceful society in Nigeria.
The communique drafting committee was made up of the following:
Chairman: Daniel Duniya, Secretary: Maureen Sheyin, Member: Hayatu N. Ashafa. Member: Ibrahim Lapinni Member: Abubakar Abba. Member: FredricK Peters
