BY LAW IBITOYE
Journalists from South-West region of Nigeria converged in Ibadan for a two-day workshop with a theme: Strengthening Human Rights Reporting, organized by Amnesty International, held in Ibadan , Oyo State on Thursday and Friday, equipped journalists with the skills and consciousness to report social injustice, uphold press integrity, and advocate for human rights.
Declaring the training open, the head of the Amnesty International team, Benedicta Ofili, charged journalists drawn from : Ekiti, Ondo , Osun, Oyo and Ogun states to upscale their reportage on cases of injustice, marginalization, and abuse, especially against the underprivileged and vulnerable groups in Nigeria. She emphasized the critical role the media plays in driving national conversations around accountability and justice.
Ofili also highlighted the organization’s commitment to promoting and defending human rights globally, noting several successful interventions by Amnesty International in Nigeria, including campaigns against unlawful detentions, police brutality, End sars saga and gender-based violence.
The workshop featured experts- led sessions on journalism, democracy and human rights: Veteran journalist and media right activist, Mr. Richard Akinnola, x-rayed the indispensable roles journalists play in defending democracy and human rights. He described the media as a watchdog that must be vigilant, bold, and unwavering in holding power accountable.
In a similar vein, Dr. Kabiru Danladi, a media ethics scholar, urged journalists to embrace integrity as a non-negotiable value in their reporting. He noted that truth-telling and objectivity are cornerstones of responsible journalism, particularly in a fragile democracy like Nigeria.
Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam, a renowned human rights advocate, took participants through the process of becoming proactive defenders of human rights. He stressed that beyond reporting, journalists must see themselves as change agents who amplify the voices of the oppressed and challenge systemic abuse.
Investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, delivered a powerful session on conducting impactful investigative reporting in a climate of insecurity, censorship, and limited access to information. He emphasized the need for courage, strategy, and ethical balance when uncovering hidden truths in high-risk environments, tasked journalists to research well, not lose focus on their investigation to get the facts published.
Also, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, a prominent gender and child rights advocate, delivered a session on “Journalism with a Gender Lens: Protecting Rights, Shaping Narratives.” She challenged participants to adopt gender-sensitive reporting approaches that promote equity, challenge harmful stereotypes, and ensure the inclusion of marginalized voices in media storytelling.
The workshop concluded with participants expressing appreciation to Amnesty International for its continued investment in media capacity development. Many attendees described the training as timely and impactful, noting that it equipped them with tools to produce more socially responsible and ethically grounded journalism.
Amnesty International reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Nigerian media in fostering a culture of human rights, transparency, and democratic accountability. The organization also pledged continued support in building a media landscape that promotes justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.