Amnesty International Nigeria has empowered 65 journalists from Nigeria’s North-East region with skills on responsible, ethical, and human rights-centred reporting, with a strong focus on gender sensitivity and journalists’ safety.
The capacity-building initiative took place during a two-day media training on Human Rights-Centred Journalism held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Speaking on “Journalism with a Gender Lens: Protecting Rights, Shaping Narratives,” Dr Anne Agi of the University of Calabar described the media as either “a mirror that reflects inequality or a lens that refracts it towards justice.”
She urged journalists to consciously challenge stereotypes, amplify women’s voices, highlight positive deviance, and adopt gender-conscious, rights-based newsroom policies.
In another session titled “Applying Media Ethics in Daily Practice: From Code to Conduct,” Dr Kabiru Danladi of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, advised journalists to prioritise human dignity over sensationalism in their daily reportage.
Addressing safety concerns during the session “Reporting Under Threat: Practical Safety Strategies for Journalists,” Dr John Omilabu warned that journalists face physical, digital, and psychological risks in the line of duty. He stressed that “no journalist should die for a story,” encouraging reporters to assess risks and withdraw when necessary to protect their lives.
A legal practitioner and human rights activist, Dr Abdul Mahmud, in his presentation on “Press Freedom and the Law: Navigating Legal Risks in Journalism,” emphasised the need for journalists to understand the Code of Ethics and the Nigerian Constitution to avoid rights violations.
He also called for constructive engagement between the media, security agencies, and the judiciary.
Veteran journalist Zainab Okino, who spoke on “Journalism Theory and Practice: A Human Rights Perspective,” urged media professionals to overcome self-censorship when reporting human rights issues. She acknowledged the challenges involved but stressed that journalists, as human rights defenders, must report accurately, fairly, and with respect for human dignity.
The facilitator further reminded participants of the need to verify information, protect victims’ identities, and ensure inclusive representation of diverse voices.
Earlier, the Media and Communications Manager of Amnesty International Nigeria, Doshima Tsee, explained that the training was designed to equip journalists with practical tools for responsible human rights reporting, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
