IPC trains online journalists, bloggers; urges them to help checkmate hate speech and conflicts

By: Ikenna Oluka

The International Press Centre (IPC) has trained thirty-five (35) online journalists and bloggers on Sensitive Conflicting Reporting, as part of the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project.

Explaining the objectives of the Workshop held on September 20 and 21, 2018, in Abuja, the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said that with the 2019 general elections approaching, it became necessary to inundate participants on the rules of engagement with regards to elections reporting and conflicts therein.

The Director who was represented by Stella Nwofia, programme coordinator at IPC, referred participants, drawn mainly from North-East, North-Central, South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, to section four (4) of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Report (revised edition 2018) where ‘Hate Speech’ was singled out as a menace in online reporting and elections conflicts.

He identified the training as necessary because the online environment now occupies a very central place in the media.

According to the Executive Director (ED), online media has become the converging point for all the traditional and conventional media such as radio, television and the Print.

Mr. Arogundade, said, although Nigeria has a large population of internet users, and as a result there is a rapid increase in the number of journalists offering to practise online to reach this ‘Internet or online population’, however, the activities of the practitioners should help checkmate the menace of hate speech and conflicts in the country.

“What all this means is that we simply cannot ignore what goes on Online in the name of journalism especially against the background of growing perception that online media and social media platforms are the major harbingers of hate speech and stokers of inciting flames”, the Director said.

He continued: “In general, it is feared that in the realm of politics, violent conflict during elections could occur if online journalism practitioners and bloggers refuse to embrace conflict sensitive principles. The emerging consensus therefore is that online journalists and bloggers need to strive to do better so they could be part of efforts that seek to remove hate narratives from political communication as a way of making the electoral environment healthier.

“In the above regard, it is expected that this training will help participants to understand and imbibe the principles of fairness, diversity and objectivity in reporting the electoral process and the elections”.

He said that the Centre expects the online media practitioners to use their platforms for fair, balanced report, language sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the elections.

In her presentation on ‘Understanding Conflict, its Nature and Character’, Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano State, described conflicts as a natural and inevitable occurrence orchestrated by perceived threats while mutual respects is the antidote.

Dr. Ruqayyah Aliyu classified conflicts into seven; namely: intrapersonal, inter-personal, Intra-group, party factions, Inter-group, intra-society and international conflicts.

On hate speech and fake news, she urged online media practitioners to be abreast of the cardinals of journalism to guide against escalating the scourge which is capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the entire country.

She cautioned the practitioners from sourcing news from social media, especially without verifiable sources.

According to the Facilitator, identified embellished news reports with tribal, ethnic and religious undertone are purveyors of conflicts in the Nigerian setting.

Similarly, the Executive Director, CITAD, Kano, Dr. Y.Z. Ya’u, facilitated discussions on ‘Contemporary Conflicts in Nigeria and Possible Impact on Media Coverage of 2019 General Elections’, urging all stakeholders to work harmoniously towards conflict-minimised 2019 general elections.

“Online journalists in particular must not fail to uphold peace through reporting, especially those that fuel conflicts like Boko Haram, Political-thugs, IPOB, etc.

“You are required to be very careful about certain colourations which tend to depict individuals in the form of Hate Speech. For instance, some individuals are reported in the media as sympathisers of Boko Haram, IPOB, Militants, etc.

“It is important to understand the root or what the conflict is all about before reporting to avoid inflammatory reportage.

He however, warned that the fear of fake News should not incapacitate journalists from carrying out their duties effectively.

“The answer to it is investigative journalism as today fake organisations are issuing press releases to incite people against others”, the ED of CITAD, Kano, said.

Leading a session on ‘Social Media & Elections: Giving Practical Effect to Conflict Sensitive Reporting Online’, the Editor-In-Chief, Premium Times, Abuja, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, advocated for fair and balanced news reporting by the practitioners.

He also cautioned against hate speech and conflict-inducing headlines. “Therefore, the need to be cautious has risen, especially when we cast headlines; as conflict can be triggered by ambiguity in communication intended by the journalist involved.

Mr Mojeed, added: “Thus, when issues arise in the society, journalists can provide parties with the information that convoke wise decisions in managing and resolving conflicts. Always remember that your ‘business’ thrives only when Nigeria is peaceful,”

He went further to enumerate how online journalists can make a difference in the profession.

The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, further urged the participants to “Be proactive and careful with translation (intended meaning or language) and be explicit about reporting constraints. Also, interview people affected by conflict and don’t use offensive, graphic images, videos, etc.