In an important move to strengthen journalistic practices in Nigeria, over 100 media professionals gathered for a comprehensive masterclass on holistic safety in Lagos on Thursday.
The event, organized by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) in collaboration with Juliana Francis of Securitynewsalert.com, attracted a diverse array of participants including journalists, civil society organization (CSO) members, and media activists.
TVC News anchor Abosede Adeniran-Aderemi moderated the session, which was structured around four key areas: safety in high-risk investigations, risk mitigation, journalistic ethics and litigation, and psychological tools for journalists. However, the primary focus of the day’s discussions centered on safety measures for high-risk investigative reporting.
Mr Innocent Duru, Assistant Editor of The Nation newspaper, kicked off the discussions by shedding light on the dual nature of investigative journalism – its rewards and inherent dangers. Duru emphasized the crucial role of a “fixer” in navigating potential risks during assignments.
Mr Duru highlighted the importance of discretion in the fieldstating that “Journalists must be strategic, not boastful, and always conduct background checks to ensure safety.”
Juliana Francis, the event’s convener, stressed the necessity of thorough pre-assignment research and maintaining physical fitness. She urged reporters to keep their editors and trusted colleagues informed of their whereabouts and to maintain open lines of communication with relevant law enforcement agencies.
The masterclass also provided a platform for attendees to voice their concerns. Participants such as Matthew Ogunsuada, Ibe Wada, and Damilola Odunukan raised pertinent questions about community journalism and strategies for securing information from government sources.
Blessing Oladunjoye, publisher of BO News, facilitated the closing segment of the session. The event concluded on a positive note, with many participants expressing their appreciation, describing the experience as a crucial step towards enhancing journalistic practices and ethics in Nigeria.