Amnesty International trains journalists on human rights reporting
By Uzair Adam & Firdausi Abubakar
Amnesty International has organized a two-day training in Kano on Human Rights-Centered Journalism, bringing together over 60 journalists from various states to enhance their skills in rights-based reporting.
SolaceBase reports that the training was organized to equip journalists as the first line of defence in the fight for human rights, recognizing that without a strong, well-trained media, society risks losing its voice against injustice.
The training, which ran from Tuesday to Wednesday, featured prominent journalists, legal experts, and activists, including Aliyu Abdullahi Tanko, an Editor with BBC; Dr Arthur-Martins Aginam, a governance and development consultant; Barrister Abba Hikima; and Barrister Mojirayo Ogunlana, among others.
Speaking at the event, Amnesty International’s Director, Isa Sunusi, emphasized the vital link between human rights and the media.
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He stated that “We are here because we believe that journalism plays a crucial role in protecting human rights. There is no way to safeguard human rights without involving the media.
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“Journalists serve as gatekeepers, ensuring that information reaching the public is accurate and just,” Sunusi said.
He acknowledged the financial challenges faced by media practitioners, adding that Amnesty International is committed to supporting journalists through training programs.
“Remuneration in the media is a global issue, and it cannot be addressed by the media alone. That is why we believe that organizations should step in to provide support where necessary,” he added.
Barrister Abba Hikima, a legal expert who also spoke at the event, called for a more comprehensive legal framework to protect journalists in Nigeria.
“The legal framework for journalism in Nigeria is inadequate. We see journalists fleeing the country for exposing corruption, being detained without trial, and facing harassment from security agencies.
“There is an urgent need for laws that provide better protection for journalists,” Hikima said.
He urged media organizations to prioritize the welfare of journalists and encouraged the formation of strong labor unions to advocate for their rights.
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Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam, a communications expert, spoke on Journalists as Human Rights Advocates, stressing that journalists must champion the truth and serve as watchdogs in society.
Discussions at the training also covered career growth and development for young journalists, legal challenges in Nigerian journalism, gender-sensitive reporting, and the broader role of journalists as human rights activists.
Amnesty International stated that similar training sessions would be conducted across Nigeria to strengthen the capacity of journalists in rights-based reporting.
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