Media Network Extends Gratitude on the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) Program on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting in mitigating violent conflict
In a bid to strengthen media organizations and practitioners on the need and importance of collaboration with various stakeholders on conflict-sensitive reporting, the Network of Media Journalist expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Mercy Corps and USAID for supporting and conducting such a timely training for the journalists that will enhance and promote Peace.
During a two-day engagement with media practitioners in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, Mr. Ibrahima Yakubu, the Team Leader of the Network of Peace Journalists, emphasized the critical need for such training.
The workshop, organized by Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in collaboration with Mercy Corps (MC) with support from USAID, where 35 journalists selected from Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue States were equipped with skills on Conflict Sensitive Reportage and on techniques designed to mitigate crises through early warning and early response mechanism.
Mr. Yakubu expressed his gratitude to the event organizers and urged all participating journalists to apply lessons learned during the workshop in their reporting that contribute to sustainable peace among the citizens.
He encouraged them to contribute to peace and unity by supporting government and non-governmental organizations on initiatives, irrespective of tribal, religious, or cultural differences.
Ibrahima added that his team has already made significant strides in Kaduna by training journalists in fact-finding and on peace-building for journalism, thereby playing a role in promoting peace and unity in the region.
During his address, Mr. Samson Auta, the Coordinator of Community Peace Action Network (CPAN) from the Interfaith Mediation Centre – Kaduna, urged journalists to redouble their efforts in crafting stories that promote peace and national unity.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to ethical journalism standards and refraining from propagating hate and dangerous speech.
Mr. Auta also expressed his gratitude to Nigerian journalists for their steadfast commitment in promoting peace and in the de-escalation of conflict.
In response to the event, Mrs. Hembadoon Orsar, Coordinator of the Benue Media Peace Network, expressed her delight at the election of new group members. She encouraged them to exhibit unwavering commitment to promoting peace journalism and on fact-finding that support credible analysis of information.
Mr. Godwin Okoko, the Conflict Technical Advisor from Mercy Corps (MC) – Nigeria, clarified that the primary aim and objective of the two-day workshop was to enhance journalists’ capacities in issues related to peace building. He underscored the importance of journalists’ unwavering dedication to promoting peace journalism through their written contributions.
