SFCG TRAINS JOURNALIST ON “DO NO HARM” AND CONFLICT SENSITIVITY REPORTING
By Raymond Enoch
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Search for Common Ground (SFCG) an international organization working on peace building and conflict transformation has trained fifteen journalists and its Search for Common Ground fellows on ‘’Do No Harm principles and conflict sensitivity reporting in Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital.
The capacity building training which aimed at equipping the participants with conflict sensitivity reporting skills in order to promote balance reporting during any conflict situation in the course of their work as professionals. Media practitioners.
In a separate facilitation topics presented during the training from both Mr Temisan Atietsola, National Media Specialist SCFG, Gambo Wada, Program Manager, the state project Coordinator, Mr Dubi Sonam and Mr Victor Okpanachi Media Coordinator jointly urged the media to use contents and news stories that reflect sensitivity to conflict situations rather ones that is capable of fuelling crisis under any circumstances.
The facilitators in their presentations which hinged on ‘’ Conflict Analysis framework, overview of Do No Harm (DNH) Media role in peace building EWER Communications, developing Common Grounds Programming and the Safety of reporters and ,media organizations during and after reporting conflicts. said that conflict sensitive reporting should be seen as integral part of the humanitarian engagement which according to them could reduce impacts of any sensational media report in conflict situation in communities where they work.
The facilitators at the training emphasized the critical role that journalist play in addressing the underlining root causes of conflicts and fostering peace rather than fanning embers of disunity and subjective reports..
Stressing the need for journalist to always avoid the temptation of prioritizing benefits of the their news stories at the risk of the reducing conflicts, adding that they need to involve all stakeholders in a conflict in designing their news stories that reduces tension in the communities.
The training also stressed the need to understand power dynamics and engaging conflicting actors in any program implementation process especially that are handled by journalist and their media houses..
Stressing the overriding need of responsible reporting during the training, the facilitators emphasized digital reporting tools in peace building, noting early warming early response strategies and best for ensuring safety for journalist in reporting conflicts.
The facilitator accordingly urged the participants to mitigate risk associated with emotions or biased reporting ensuring that their reports contribute positively to mitigating conflicts
The three day training came amidst rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria especially Taraba state where there is a growing concern over kidnappings, illegal mining and wanton killings of unknown gunmen.
