ICRC trains North-East Journalists on Humanitarian Reporting
By Chima Azubuike
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has harped on the need for journalists to focus on the value of human lives, especially the inalienable rights of a person.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the workshop which had its theme as ‘Conflict and Humanitarian Reporting’, featured journalists covering some states in the North-East where the Committee is currently providing support to victims of the armed conflicts.
Speaking, Head of Sub Delegation, Yola, Charlie Coste, explained that the ICRC takes the media in high esteem due to its vital role in sharing information regarding armed conflicts and violence.
According to her, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organisation, with the mandate to protect and assist victims of armed conflicts and other violence.
Coste said, “Based in Nigeria since 1988, the ICRC, together with the Nigerian Red Cross, have been responding to the needs of people affected by armed conflicts and violence, in terms of providing emergency assistance such as food, water supply, and medical support during cases of displacement.
“The ICRC also disseminates and promotes international humanitarian law and international human rights law to the armed and security forces.
In situations of armed conflict and violence, people need information as much as they need water, food, and medicine. Therefore, the Red Cross in Nigeria works closely with the media knowing its importance regarding news stories of people affected by armed conflicts or violence.”
Commenting on how imperative accurate information is, the Head of Sub Delegation disclosed that credible information could save lives.
“We understand that timely and accurate information helps to save lives and reduces the suffering of displaced populations faced with various degrees of needs. The workshop is meant to listen to reporters with a view of understanding the media landscape in Nigeria so as to strengthen our relationship and to improve the quality of the support we provide to displaced communities affected by armed conflicts and violence in Nigeria. We also hope to get your own experiences in getting information during conflict times. As professionals, I hope that the workshop will facilitate more humanitarian stories telling, which will trigger more assistance and support to the victims of armed conflicts and violence,” Coste added.
Also, the lead facilitator Dr. Bala Muhammad, a Lecturer in the department of Mass Communication Bayero University Kano, while delivering his presentations on conflict and humanitarian reporting said victims whose identities are unknown their pains should be amplified.
Muhammad said, “Someone who is not known, how do we make him centre of news because the ICRC is all about taking care of the vulnerable, how will journalists make the vulnerable centre of their news instead of always mentioning for instance Shekau said this, Shekau said that. What about the victims of Shekau, whom are displaced, injured because they are human beings and not statistics. All of us are victims if you do something, you protect someone you are also protected.”
On his part, Aliyu Dawobe, a Public Relations Officer, explained that media collaboration is a major ingredient of the Humanitarian organisation, while delivering his paper on Public Communication in the ICRC.
According Dawobe, “In assessing perception the organisation conducts media monitoring, listen to affected communities, listen to leaders – religious, community, opinion youths. Identify gaps – perception, and address some perception issues.”
