19/10/2024
Search for Common Ground (SFCG) an international organization working on peace building and conflict transformation with support from the European Union has trained some selected journalists and its Search for Common Ground fellows on ‘Do No Harm' principles, conflict sensitivity reporting and Common Ground approach among others in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.
The capacity building training, which is aimed at enlightening the participants with conflict sensitivity reporting and programming skills in order to promote balance reporting during any conflict situation in the course of their work as professional media practitioners.
In a separate lectures presented during the training from Mr. Dubi Sonam, Training Coordinator Taraba and Adamawa, and Mr Victor Okpanachi, Search for Common Ground Media Coordinator Adamawa state, jointly urged the media practitioners to use contents such as programmes and news stories that reflect sensitivity to conflict situations rather than that which is capable of fueling crisis under any circumstances.
The facilitators in their presentations which hinged on ‘Conflict Analysis Framework, overview of ‘Do No Harm’, media role in peace building, developing common grounds approach, and safety of reporters in media organizations during and after reporting conflicts, said that conflict sensitive reporting should be seen as built-in part of the humanitarian engagement which according to them could reduce impacts of any sensational media reports/programs in conflict situation in communities.
Mr. Godwin Okoko Head of Program Implementation of Search for Common Ground middle belt, has appealed to Adamawa and Taraba state journalists and fellows to utilize the knowledge added to them by COMITAS project and emphasized the critical role that journalists play in addressing the underlining root causes of conflicts and fostering peace. He also urged the journalist to be peace ambassadors at any time.
Mr. Okoko, who spoke at the end of a three day engagement at City Green Hotel in Yola, appreciate the role played by partners, stakeholders and the support received from Taraba and Adamawa state government that lead to the success of the project in 7 LGAs in Adamawa and two in Taraba state which covers over 20 communities.
While Mr. Fredric Aduka, Assistant Coordinator Search for Common Ground also urged the journalists to think outside the box when discharging their duties. He also stress the need for journalists to always avoid the temptation of prioritizing benefits of the their news and programs stories at the risk of conflicts.Also peaking at the end of the event, The program Manager Search for Common Ground Adamawa and Taraba state, Gambo Wada, appreciate journalists and fellows for their support in peace building, urging the participants to continue the tempo even after the end of COMITAS project.
While speaking on behalf of the participants, Husseini Hamman Gabdo and Philemon Fwa said the knowledge acquired at the workshop will be utilized in journalism profession and they both appreciate Search for Common Ground for selecting journalists to be part of their project.The training also stressed the need to understand the importance of dynamics and engaging conflicting actors when journalists are on duty.
The facilitators, urged the participants to mitigate risk associated with emotions or biased reporting ensuring that their reports contribute positively to mitigating conflicts.
The three day training came at a point when journalists need to be reminded of reporting a rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria especially in the northern part of the country, where tension is growing over insecurity.
Package by : Yusuf ishaq Buba
Pulaaku Fm Yola
