IPC to train online journalists, bloggers on election reporting

IPC to train online journalists, bloggers on election reporting 

By Udeme Clement
The International Press Centre, IPC, Lagos-Nigeria, would train about 60 online journalists and bloggers from across the country on conflict sensitive reporting online.

This is being done in view of the on-going electoral process and the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The workshops would take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State on September 18 -19 and Abuja, FCT, on September 20 – 21.

This formed part of the statement issued by the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, saying that the training is part of the activities being implemented under Component 4b: Support to the media, of  EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project.

According to Arogundade, the training would seek to enhance the capacity of participants to use online media for responsible reporting of elections, by being language sensitive, conflict sensitive and checking hate speech in the online environment.
To ensure attainment of the objectives, the workshops would feature presentations by media scholars and seasoned journalists.

In Abeokuta, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, Dean, College of Social and Management Sciences, COSOMAS, Caleb University, Imota-Nigeria would speak on ‘Understanding communication challenges in the age of conflict, hate speech,  fake news’ and ‘Sticking to ethics and professionalism in online reporting’.  Dr. Qasim Akinreti, Assistant News Editor, Voice of Nigeria, VON, and Chairman, Lagos Council of NUJ would speak on ‘Giving practical effect to conflict sensitive reporting online’, ‘Social Media and Elections: Knowing and Dealing with the Challenges’ while Dr. Dan Jibo of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan would address ‘Understanding conflict, its nature and character’ and ‘Contemporary conflicts in Nigeria,  possible impact on media and Coverage of 2019 elections: the pitfalls to avoid in Online Reporting’.

In Abuja, Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University Kano, would focus on ‘Understanding Conflict: Its Nature & Character’, ‘Hate Speech & Fake News: Imperatives of Ethics & Professionalism in Online Reporting in Nigeria’, Dr. Y.Z Yau, Executive Director, CITAD would present on ‘Contemporary Conflicts in Nigeria and Possible Impact on Media Coverage of 2019 Elections’ and ‘Monitoring of Hate Speech Online: Observations, Lessons and Recommendations from Outcomes.’

Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-In-Chief, Premium Times, would take participants through ‘Social Media & Elections: Giving Practical Effect to Conflict Sensitive Reporting Online’ and ‘News gathering & Newsroom Gate keeping in Era of Hate Speech: Tips on Pitfalls to Avoid’.