In a concerted effort to enhance conflict-sensitive reporting and promote responsible journalism, Mercy Corps, in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), organized a one-day workshop for media practitioners in Lagos. The workshop, held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Providence Hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos, aimed to equip media professionals with the necessary tools and skills to report on conflict issues responsibly and sensitively.
Co-facilitated with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the workshop focused on guiding media practitioners in incorporating conflict sensitivity principles into their reporting. Attendees were trained to apply the Do No Harm (DNH) analysis framework to better understand and report on conflict dynamics, as well as to analyze the potential impact of their reporting on conflict situations within their areas of operation.
The overarching goal of the workshop was to build the capacity of media practitioners, empowering them to disseminate conflict-sensitive information effectively and ethically. Additionally, participants were encouraged to cascade the training to their colleagues in their respective media organizations, thereby extending the reach and impact of conflict-sensitive reporting practices.
One of the key objectives of the workshop was to encourage media representatives to adopt a conflict-sensitive approach to news gathering and presentation. Participants were urged to find innovative ways to tell conflict-sensitive stories in a manner that engages and informs audiences without exacerbating tensions or perpetuating stereotypes.
A wide array of media organizations participated in the workshop, demonstrating a collective commitment to promoting responsible journalism and contributing to conflict resolution efforts. Among the participating media outlets were prominent names such as the Guardian, the Sun, Hybrid News, Newsflash 247, Daily Independent, AriseTV, This Day, Vanguard, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Daily Trust, Tribune, Daily Times, The Nation, Casefileng.com, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Africa Independent Television (AIT), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Television Continental (TVC), Channels Television, ARDA, LN247 Television, and Nigeria Info FM.
The workshop served as a platform for media practitioners to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen their commitment to ethical and conflict-sensitive journalism. By equipping media professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge, Mercy Corps and WANEP aim to contribute to peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria by fostering informed and responsible reporting on conflict issues.