Group educates journalists on peace reporting

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

In an effort to promote peace in the society, a group, under the aegis of Aid Foundation Network, has trained journalists on peace reporting in Kaduna state.

The group said the training was paramount for the development of the media profession and the country at large.

Speaking at the function, the coordinator of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Bonet, said journalists are key to the promotion of peace hence the need for them to be trained.

According to him, there are some of the journalists, who, for reasons known to them increase on the fragile peace or conflict witnessed in some areas.

“In Kaduna state, the media have been responsive and we hope to see that they remain responsive in discharging their duties. This workshop was organized purposely to educate or rather train our journalists on how to report conflicts without bias,” he said.

He emphasized on the need for increased skills on how to report peace, saying the group is presently working with some Local government Areas on peace and conflict resolution.

Mr. Bonet also added that their group also trained about 5000 youths on various skills income Generating Activities ( IGA) to make them self-reliant.

“We also provided support to 500 orphans in terms of their education by paying their schools fees, providing them with uniforms and linking them up with those to assist them,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Shola Adeyanju, of the Mass Communication Department, Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, said already there is fear in the country because politicians cannot create the tension without support of the media, as some journalists’ report have been known to cause conflicts in the society. He therefore, cautioned media practitioners to always check and balance their findings before filing their reports.