Media
OISD closes out Gombe version of training of female journalists with style
OISD closes out Gombe version of training of female journalists with style
By Ernest Ogezi
The Organization for Innovation and Sustainable Development, OISD took the training of female journalists in the North East of Nigeria to the Gombe State Capital. The entire programme would see a total of 350 female journalists trained across 6 states of the North East at its end.
The training in Gombe was as immersive as Adamawa and Taraba before it. Sponsored by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Abuja, the training had 35 female journalists in attendance. The journalists were taken through nine modules of carefully designed topics.
The topics ranged from Ethics of Sexual and Gender-based violence reporting, Advanced reporting in modern media, ethics of reporting women in violent conflict situations, application of ICT in modern news reportage, among others. the relevance of these were highlighted in the opening speech of OISD’s Executive Director, Mr Jamilu Yusuf.
Female journalists are often relegated to the background in the media. The media in Nigeria is a strongly male-dominated field with very few women making it to the very top of media leadership. The training expounded on how this could harm the society as the critical contributions of women could be lost. More so, female stories are most likely to be better told by females who have the ability of putting themselves in the shoes of fellow women or survivors.
Certificates were handed out to the trainees by the Secretary to the State Government of Gombe represented, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women affairs, Mrs Sa’adatu Bome Ishaya. Mrs Sa’adatu expressed deep pleasure at the modules presented and further encouraged female journalists to go far and beyond in ensuring that the woman and the girl child in protected from harm, not only professionally but even from their home fronts.
The journalists were trained by experts in the fields of journalist, civil society and the academia. The team of facilitators was led by the Program Manager of the Organization for Innovation and Sustainable Development, Mr Ernest Ogezi. The PM reminded the journalists that the industry would suffer if the unique contributions of women are not experienced.
The training has contributed to the growth of the media industry and has given female journalists the impetus to break new grounds and become all they can become. The Senior Information Specialist of the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Aishah Gambari re-echoed this when she gave her opening speech, she said women have the power to change the world. There is no better way to put it!
The Federal Government has commended the media for the effective coverage of the ongoing Ministerial Sectoral Update to mark the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the commendation in an opening remark on day-three of the sectoral update on Friday in Abuja.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to Idris, the event gives the media the opportunity to engage the ministers and seek clarification on policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
“Today is the continuation of the sectoral briefing that we are getting from the various ministries.
“Yesterday, about seven ministers were here to present before you, not just their vision, but also their achievements, in the last one year of the Tinubu’s administration.
“Let me thank the distinguished members of the media for all that you have done. We have seen an extensive coverage of the proceedings here yesterday and the day before.
“You have the opportunity to ask questions, make comments and useful contributions to this briefing going on,” Idris stressed.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the morning session is expected to have presentations from the Ministries of Health, Justice, Police Affairs, Power and Works.
The Ministers of Women’s Affairs, Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Foreign Affairs will feature in the afternoon session.
(NAN)
UN emphasises importance of press freedom as Israel shuts Al Jazeera
The United Nations has emphasised the importance of press freedom following Israel’s decision to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in the country.
“We stand firmly against any decision to roll back freedom of the press,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York.
“A free press provides an invaluable service to ensure that the public is informed and engaged.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet had unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.
The move came after Israeli lawmakers approved a new media law widely referred to as the “Al Jazeera law” that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.
Al Jazeera decried the Israeli decision and vowed to pursue “all avenues” available to protect its rights and employees.
(dpa/NAN)
NHRC reaffirms commitment to protecting press freedom
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to safeguard press freedom as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of any democracy.
He also assured of the promotion and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians including the right to freedom of expression and the press in all circumstances.
In a message to mark the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, Ojukwu noted that he premised his assurance on the provisions of the NHRC Act 1995 (as amended), wherein the Commission is mandated to deal with all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights guaranteed by all the Constitution of Nigeria and human rights legal instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
He highlighted the crucial role played by journalists in birthing and defending democracy, projecting government policies, providing critical information that benefits the masses and even holding government accountable to its responsibilities.
Ojukwu noted that journalists in Nigeria face numerous challenges ranging from intimidation, unlawful arrests, attacks and even deaths.
According to him, these unfortunate incidents undermine the journalists’ ability to carry out their work effectively.
He added that the 2024 theme for World Press Freedom Day “A Press for the Planet: Journalists in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” was apt.
He noted that journalists and the media work tirelessly for the survival of the earth and where the earth is in environmental crisis, journalists also face environmental crisis and must see how they can contribute to resolving the environmental crisis in which they work.
The executive secretary urged stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in the fight to protect and promote press freedom in Nigeria.
The World Press Freedom is marked annually on May 3.
(NAN)
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