Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has announced that it will be hosting a series of workshops aimed at educating journalists across Nigeria on the laws and regulations that impact media operations.
The workshops, according to MRA, will provide journalists with a thorough understanding of the legal landscape, enhancing their ability to report ethically, freely, and safely.
This was announced in a statement released on Monday, August 5, 2024 by MRA Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale.
The first workshop, targeting journalists from the southwestern states, will be held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on August 6 and 7, 2024. Following this, additional workshops will take place in Owerri, Imo State, for journalists in the South East and South South regions, and in Abuja for journalists from the northern part of the country.
MRA’s Programme Officer, Mr. Timileyin Adams, emphasized the importance of these workshops. He explained that they are designed to provide journalists with the necessary knowledge and tools to confidently navigate the complex media laws and regulations in Nigeria.
“The legal landscape in Nigeria presents a complex web of laws and regulations affecting the media, some of which are misused from time to time by governments and other powerful members of society to impede the work of journalists and the media.
“These workshops represent a significant step towards empowering journalists with the knowledge and skills they require to navigate the complexities of these laws and regulations and to enjoy the benefits of relevant regional and international instruments,” Mr. Adams stated.
Each two-day workshop will cover a range of important topics, including national, regional, and international frameworks on freedom of expression and media freedom, the safety of journalists, legal frameworks that hinder media freedom in Nigeria, digital security, common digital threats to journalism, ethics in journalism, and beneficial legal frameworks for journalists and the media. Additionally, the workshops will address how journalists can avoid legal liabilities, protect information and confidential sources, and access legal and litigation support.