Nigerian Journalists trained in E-Journalism
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34 JOURNALISTS TRAINED ON COMPUTER/INTERNET-ASSISTED REPORTING OF
HIV/AIDS, SEXUAL RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES
The Media Resource and Advocacy Centre (MRAC) has conducted two in a
series of training workshops for journalists on computer/internet-
assisted reporting of sexual and reproductive health/rights issues
from April 8 to 9 and April 23 to 24, 2002. The training, which is
part of Continuous Education Series for journalists, was aimed at
equipping journalists with the necessary skills for navigating the
Internet to report issues that are hardly reported by the media espe-
cially those related to reproductive health, sexual rights and
HIV/AIDS. The training also afforded journalists the opportunity of
learning the use of computer to conduct data analysis that could fur-
ther enhance their reports. So far, thirty-four journalists have been
trained on the use of computer resources including the Internet to
report issues related to HIV/AIDS, sexual rights and reproductive
health in Nigeria.
Specifically, the workshop is part of strategies to promote E-
Journalism, equipping journalists with the necessary skills to ad-
vance the course of key development issues in Nigeria. Another set of
complementary training for Non Governmental Organizations aimed at
enhancing Media-NGO Partnership is being implemented by the organiza-
tion for NGOs in the three geographical zones of Nigeria (South West,
North and East). One of the outcomes of the series of training work-
shop is the development of a guide for journalists and communication
professionals on computer-assisted reporting (CAR). The Media Re-
source and Advocacy Centre (MRAC) is a project of Development Commu-
nications (Devcoms) Network, Surulere Lagos Nigeria, a health commu-
nication NGO dedicated to public understanding of science related is-
sues and participation in health and development.
The journalists� training content include one day of theoretical work
and a second day for practical activities comprising browsing of web-
sites of relevant organizations in the HIV/AIDS, sexuality and repro-
ductive health field. Practical sessions were also conducted on com-
puter analysis using a number of software for graphics, charts,
graphs and other illustrations. Nicholas Ibewuike of the Pan African
News Agency, Africa�s leading news service organization asserted
�this is a training that has further enhanced my understanding of the
computer as an important tool for a journalist. My office has just
acquired a dedicated 64 Kbps modem for Internet access. I am already
a step ahead in my work as the skill from this training has prepared
me for the new work schedule.�
The participants drawn from print, electronic media, and interna-
tional news agencies noted that issues related to sexuality educa-
tion, sexual violence/coercion, female genital mutilation, abortion,
maternal mortality, among others are hardly reported in-depth in the
media. �We need to give a voice to all these other related issues to
make meaningful contribution to reproductive and sexual health promo-
tion�, said Priscilla Nnaka of National Interest Newspapers.
Program Director of Development Communications (Devcoms) Network,
Akin Jimoh, stated that the training complements MRAC�s new project
to enhance media-NGO partnership on Reproductive Health and Sexual
Rights promotion in Nigeria. These activities are aimed at bringing
to fore, through an in-depth reporting, development issues related to
population, reproductive health and sexual rights. �At the moment
many stories on HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health issues in the
print and electronic media lack depth as news reporting dominate re-
ports and broadcast in the media while a number of developments are
hardly reported in the Nigerian media. This project is going to
change this present scenario,� Jimoh said.
The series of activities are components of a one-year initiative,
APPROACHES TO MEDIA PARTNERSHIP IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS
PROMOTION IN NIGERIA supported by The Ford Foundation � West Africa.
The Initiative forges Media-NGO Partnership through sharing of ideas
and materials that can further enhance public discourse on topical
development issues especially those that are threats to public
health. The project utilizes photographs, video and audio recordings
as part of a comprehensive, multi-layered presentation of the links
between HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and sexual rights in Nigeria.
Activities being implemented under the initiative include; Continuous
Education Series for journalists, 60 of whom, this year, have so far
participated in MRAC seminars, trainings and forums on reproductive
health and sexual rights issues; Publication of the Bulletin SERIES
(UNREPORTED DEVELOPMENT: NEWS & FEATURES) on reproductive health and
sexual rights issues for use by journalists; and Production of a Me-
dia Guide on HIV/AIDS.
Clement Akintimi
Media-NGO Networking Officer
Development Communications Network
40 Johnson Street Off Bode Thomas Street
Surulere Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-1-774-8397
Cell: +234-803-3053-713
mailto:mracnigeria@yahoo.com
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