Search For Common Ground Trains Journalists On Conflict Reporting

The need for journalists to examine issues impartially and cover such issues with inclusivity, reflecting on diverse perspectives which will in turn contribute to peace-building and social change was highlighted at a five-day intensive training on Common Ground Journalism for Journalists from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States, with the theme ‘A Community Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta” held in Warri, Delta state.

In his opening remarks, Search for Common Ground Head of Office/Programme Implementation in the Niger Delta, Mr. Yacinthe Agbagadjan informed that the training was organized in partnership with Stakeholders Democracy Network, Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta, and Academic Associates Peace Works, funded by the European Union as part of an 18 month project covering sixty-six communities across thirty-three Local Governments Areas of the three states.

Agbadjagan said there was need for media practitioners to contribute to peace-building and social change, adding that the media can play roles to build confidence, seek solution, inspire, educate and entertain without compromising the basic principles of true journalism. ANEWS 210

A National Media Specialist, Mr. Temisan Etietsola in his lecture noted that wherever and whenever there is tension, the media has a crucial role to play; stressing that the media can inflame the situation or use their considerable power to diffuse tension.

Etietsola  called on media practitioners to be a part of the solution instead of the problem, pointing out that the Common Ground Approach catalyzes collaborative solutions by enabling people to understand their differences and act together on shared interests to achieve a win-win outcome. ANEWS 211

Also, the Search for Common Ground media and Information Management Coordinator, Mr Sunny Dada in a lecture on Data journalism said data is used to create stories that are compelling, impactful and vivid, adding that journalists can source for data, extract critical information for quality reportage, and apply data visualization tools to produce meaningful stories. 

Sunny Dada described the media as valued stakeholders in the ongoing efforts to promote peace building in the Niger Delta, maintaining that Search for Common Ground understands the immense power that the media holds, and believes that with the right knowledge and training, journalists can play a vital role in promoting tolerance, respect, and understanding, without contributing to the escalation of conflicts. 

On her part, the mass media and Information Management officer, Folashade Sheye-Ojo stressed the need to explore the powerful role that Journalism can play in fostering understanding, empathy and unity in a diverse world, stressing that in an era where information travels faster than ever, Journalists wield immense influence over public opinion and societal perceptions. 

Correspondent Aqua Douye-Akpuruku, who participated in the training, reports that the training was to arm journalists with knowledge to be able to report conflict-sensitive issues and bring to the front-burner positive narratives that serve as connectors among opposing parties.

Source: Aqua Douye Akpuruku