To ensure that journalists are well equipped for peace building while reporting religion and other sensitive issues, an international non-governmental and non-religious organization, “Search for Common Ground” , has trained thirty journalists from different religions, beliefs and media establishments across Nigeria.
The three-day training held in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, offered participants opportunity to critically review codes of different religions, as well as relevant local and international laws that protect adherents of the religions and other beliefs.
Declaring the event opened, the Project Manager, Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief, PP-FoRB, Mr. Daniel Ogabiela, said, realizing that the media have through framing of stories and choice of words, contributed to the escalation of conflicts along religious and other belief lines, the training became necessary in order to equip and empower journalists to be able to report conflict-sensitive issues without doing any harm to parties involved, and the society in general.
While explaining that the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, and other media establishments were chosen to nominate staff for the training because of their reach and effectiveness, Mr. Ogabiela urged the participants to henceforth champion peace building by educating others and putting all that they gathered to use, adding that legal practitioners, human rights defenders, religious leaders and the academia will also be trained for same purpose.
Contributing, the National Media Specialist, Search for Common Ground Nigeria, Mr. Temisan Etietsola urged journalists to equip themselves with the knowledge of relevant laws, see through the pretenses of political and religious leaders with ulterior motives, and be able to bring to the front burner positive narratives that serve as ‘connectors’ among opposing parties.
On her part, the National Capacity Building and Training Specialist, Search for Common Ground Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuela Atsen, said common ground approach in reporting conflict-sensitive issues is key to de-escalating tension; as it places human beings over and above all forms of religion and belief.
Some of the participants, including Joseph Egbeocha from the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS; Abdull-Azeez Kadir from Liberty TV and Radio Kaduna; Ahmed Shettima from Borno Radio and Television Maiduguri; and Nathaniel Shuaibu from the Punch newspaper said they have been further equipped to continue contributing to peace building by helping people change perspectives and perceptions on issues relating to religion and belief, adding that as media practitioners, they also need safe and secure environment to practice.
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