Stallion Times trains journalists on conflict sensitive reporting

A reputable online newspaper, Stallion Times has trained journalists on conflict and sensitive reporting in its effort to encourage accurate, objective, and balanced reportage of conflict situations.

SOLACEBASE reports that the training workshop which was tagged “Conflict Sensitive Reporting” was held on Thursday in Kano.

In his welcome address, Stallion Times Media Services Editor-in-Chief, Isiyaku Ahmed said the training is part of the organisation activities in the year 2 of its 3-year Participatory Governance and Media Literacy project dubbed “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” in Kano and Kogi States, with the support of the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and funded by MacArthur Foundation.

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Ahmed said that the objectives of the workshop was to encourage journalists to provide accurate, objective, and balanced reportage of conflict situations and the worsening unethical media reports leading to abuse or journalism that pursues sensationalism, biases, prejudices, and blackmail.

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He encouraged journalists to always verify  information before broadcast or publication.

On his part, Abbas Ibrahim, Kano NUJ Chairman, urged the participants to make use of the knowledge acquired during the training and also appreciated Stallion Times for organizing the workshop.

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A communique issued at the end of the workshop thus read:

In a bid to encourage accurate, objective and balanced reportage of conflict situations and the worsening unethical media reports leading to abuse or irresponsible journalism that pursues sensationalism, biases, prejudices, and blackmail, Stallion Times Media Service organized a one-day media training on ‘Conflict Sensitive Reporting’ in Kano as one of its activities in year 2 of the 3-year Participatory Governance and Media Literacy project tagged “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” in Kano and Kogi states.

The project is in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism under the Collaborative Media Project with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

The event was attended by a cross section of journalists from different broadcast, print and blogosphere organizations.

It was resolved that;

1.Conflict sensitive reporting entails being sensitive and attentive to warning signals to conflict.

2. The consequences of any conflict should not be underestimated.
3. Conflict sensitive reporting contributes to peace building.
4. Ethics is rooted in philosophy and forms the basis of professional journalism.
5. Involvement into a story is completely unacceptable and condemnable in professional reporting.
6. The safety of journalists is important in conflict reporting.

And recommends that;

1. Journalists should report conflict stories accurately and objectively using a balanced approach.
2. Understanding the environment is crucial in conflict reporting and always avoid sensationalism.

3 Avoid profiling that could lead to victimization.

4. Framing conflict reports should be peace oriented – avoid stereotypes, name callings, and unnecessary profiling.
5. Do not allow conflict to escalate before reporting it.
6. Fake news is false, misleading, unacceptable, and highly unprofessional.

Signed:

Abbas Ibrahim

Kano NUJ Chairman

Isiyaku Ahmed

Editor-in-Chief

Stallion Times Media Services.