Nigerian reporters discuss PJ, journalist safety
About 120 Nigerian journalists gathered on Zoom on June 22-23-24 to learn about and discuss peace journalism. The event was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

The journalists joined the Zoom conference from locations across Nigeria, including Abuja, Ibidan, Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and Bauchi.

On the first day, I presented the basics of peace journalism, and we discussed how it might apply in a Nigerian context. Two questions were each asked several times. The first was whether peace journalism is advocacy journalism. I responded that reporting about something is not advocating that something. War correspondents, after all, don’t advocate for war, they report about it. The same with peace journalists, who are reporting using the voices of peacemakers while giving information about nonviolent options, but not advocating for these options.

The second question dealt with the role of media vis-a-vis government, and particularly a government intent on censorship. Exhibit A in this censorship is the recent total ban of Twitter in Nigeria.

On the second day, we discussed reporting terrorism and civic unrest, two topics of special importance in Nigeria. Asked to list the weaknesses of Nigerian coverage of terrorism, the journalists listed not having access to terrorists for comments/information; anti-Islam and/or regional bias, and sensationalism. The strengths included providing the public with a wealth of information about terrorist impacts.

As to how terrorism coverage could be improved, the journalists listed several excellent ideas:

a.Being more objective
b. Helping to seek common ground
c. Balancing stories with information from all sides
d. Eliminating sensationalism
e. More careful work choice
f. Focusing on victims

The third day of the seminar, we discussed how peace journalism might apply to covering migrants and reconciliation issues, as well as journalist safety in Nigeria and how this can be enhanced by using PJ. I asked the journalists to create their own safety plan. These are some of their suggestions about how Nigerian journalists can enhance their on-the-job safety:

-Carry out risk assessment before going to cover a conflict.
-Take caution to avoid second incident impact like in cases of bomb explosions etc.

-Complete adherence to the principles of peace journalism.
-Sharing survival experience with other colleagues

-Balanced reporting can help journalists reduce risk of attacks.
-Have personal protective gear like pepper spray and bullet proofs

-Watch utterances in your reporting or verbal communication
-While visiting a tense environment, wear garments that clearly identify you as a journalist.

-Survey the area beforehand and stay far away from the area of violence while reporting.
-Do your research so you don't get caught up in violent clashes.

In sum, wrote one reporter, “Journalists have to avoid unnecessary risks and ensure their safety first.”

I was impressed by the engagement and participant from the journalists, especially given the challenges of a Zoom conference. As I told the participants, I learned as much as they did about the complex and challenging media environment in Nigeria. It’s my hope to engage these same journalists face-to-face very soon.