The training, which took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, brought together participants from the print, broadcast, and online media sectors across Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, and Ondo States.
Delivering the opening remarks, Micheal Christian, Social Media Communication Officer at Amnesty International Nigeria, said the initiative was designed to equip journalists with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to report ethically and effectively on human rights issues.
He underscored the critical role of the media in a democratic society, stressing that while the media landscape is rapidly evolving, journalists remain instrumental in shaping public discourse, influencing policy direction, and holding power to account.
“By amplifying human rights narratives and shedding light on violations, the media act as powerful agents of change, advocating for justice, equality, and dignity for all”, he said.
Speaking on the 'Evolving role of the journalists in defending democracy and human rights', the Executive Director of Centre for Free Speech Organisation, Richard Akinnola urged journalists to be careful when reporting issues to human rights, saying that the need for fact checking is highly recommended, in the face of artificial intelligence (AI).
“Be careful while investigating human rights stories. Especially in this era of artificial intelligence. For you to investigate human rights issues, you need to equip yourselves with the necessary gadgets. You need to have your evidence.
“So, there are different gadgets that can be useful for you to do investigative stories. It is pertinent to have your evidence too", he added
Human rights and investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo in his paper on 'investigative journalism in a climate of impunity', highlighted the risks involved in advocating for accountability and holding those in power responsible.
"There have always been a debate whether journalist can be an rights advocate or stay unbiased, and objective, but what cannot change is that a journalist can use his journalistic practice to achieve anything, including advocacy.
"Facts and evidence can speak for people. Not necessarily being opinionated, or attacking or protesting out there but carrying out investigative reporting that speak up for people.
"It is extremely challenging to be an investigative journalist in Nigeria. From physical harrasement from state and non state actors, to arrests and other challenging economic climate, but journalist must see these challenges as part of the story", he added
Other facilitators include, Dr Kabiru Danladi, from Mass Communication Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who spoke on Ethics in Practice: Upholding integrity in reporting, and Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam, who sporights'the journalist as a human rights advocate".
