Stallion Times trains Kano journalists on Conflict Sensitive Reporting

Stallion Times Media Service organized a one day workshop for journalists on Conflict Sensitive Reporting (SCR) in Kano.

The event which held at the NUJ Conference Hall was tittled; “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” was part of its activities in year 2 of the 3-year Participatory Governance and Media Literacy project.

Isiaku Ahmad, The Editor-in-Chief Stallion Times  Media services revealed that the workshop was in an effort to encourage accurate, objective and balanced reportage of conflict situations.

He emphasized the need to prevent unethical media reports that can lead to abuse or irresponsible journalism.

Dr. Rukkayya Yusuf Aliyu, a lecturer in Bayero University Kano (BUK) while speaking on the topic, ” conflicts sensitive reporting and safety of journalists” said that journalist should avoid involving themselves in a story as it is completely unacceptable and condemnable in professional reporting.

“Always remain ethical and professional, try as much as possible not to get involved in a story.

“You can only involve yourself in a story when you are trying to understand the situation, but when reporting try as much as possible to detach yourself from the story to ensure a fair report.

“In cases where you can not detach yourself from the story, it is best to give it to another person to write or do the story,” she said.

She also added that understanding the environment is crucial in conflicts reporting.

She advised that the safety of journalists is important in conflict reporting.

“As a journalist, your safety comes first.

“You need to be well and alive to report,” she said.

The event was attended by a cross section of journalists from different broadcast, print and blogosphere organizations.

The project is in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism under the Collaborative Media Project with support from the MacArthur Foundation.