Media
THE International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has advised journalists to be guided by the ethics of the profession while reporting issues on migration.
The organisation made the call on Thursday at a three-day workshop for selected journalists in Abuja. IOM organised the workshop in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication under the Pan-Atlantic University.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 journalists are participating in the workshop that started on Oct. 12 and will end on Oct.14.
Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Media and Communication, said that the media, in the context of migration, is crucial in delivering verified information, informed opinions as well as balanced and inclusive narratives.
He said that the way the media had been covering migration had affected the range and the quality of information being received by the public, particularly, migrants.
It had as well showed how societies perceived and had been relating to the issue, he said.
The media, according to Biakolo, is a critical sector that can change the public’s perception about certain issues.
He said that the public needed an active cultivation and cooperation of the media.
“Migration issues have continued to jump on the top of the news in most media houses in recent times, with journalists around the world reporting the biggest movements of people around the world in recent history.
“With that in mind, the workshop will aim at improving the capacities of the media personnel on how they can guarantee the handling of sensitive reportage and the safety of journalists.
“By reporting on migration issues, the media has a vast influence on the formation of a broad image and perception of migrants, the public and migration itself. So, it is important that they carry out their duties applying the ethics of journalism,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, the Head of Department of Mass Media and Writing, School of Media and Communication, said the cause of migration should be effectively reported, and the core issues addressed.
Mgbeadichie urged the media to always use the appropriate terminologies in reporting stories about migration.
He said that the media was important in changing the narrative on the effects of migration in the country.
“There are different reasons for migration among people, therefore, the media must strive to identify the reasons and report on the core issues that drive migration in the country.
“Also, it is important for journalists to report migration from different angles so that the public can see things from different perspective as to why people migrate from various countries.
“The right terminologies must be used by the media so as to avoid any form of discrimination by the public, which in turn will help the migrants to reintegrate themselves into the society properly,” he said.
He noted that Climate Change and Migration were interwoven noting that the former could lead to forced migration.
“Denying that climate change and migration have links will be ignoring the reality that many communities involuntarily face.
“Human mobility and their understanding are central to understanding climate change,” he said.
Also, Mr Chidorum Nwakanma, a communication strategist and a veteran journalist, urged the media to always focus on the four principles of journalism — accuracy, independence, humanity and responsibility.
He urged journalists to focus on investigative journalism saying, “it promotes accountability, citizen participation and tenets of democracy.” (NAN)
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Tags: Mr Chidorum Nwakanma
