When Journalists Converge for Investigative Reporting

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s part of efforts to deepen media’s role in democratic governance, a two-day workshop was held for journalists on investigative reporting and methodologies for institutionalizing transparency and accountability in the democratic processes. The workshop, which held in Abuja, 9-10 October 2013, was attended by twenty male and female journalists from the print and broadcast media across the Northern region of Nigeria.

Photo Gallery

(L-R) Toyin Gabriel (UNDP/DGDII), Lanre Arogundade (IPC), Bayo Atoyebi (NPC)

Organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support of United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Democratic Governance for Development (DGD II) programme, the workshop featured presentations and interactions with journalists on the importance of investigative reporting as a key function in the media’s Watchdog role under a democracy.

Highlights of the workshop included welcome remarks by Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Director, IPC and goodwill messages by Dr. Mourtada Deme, Project Director, UNDP-DGD11 and Mr. Bayo Atoyebi, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council (NPC).

Paper Presentations at the workshop were as follows: “Situating media reporting of accountability and transparency issues in the context of development & democracy: Overview of strengths and missing links” by Barrister Eze Onyekpere, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice (CENSOJ), Abuja; “ Advancing investigative reporting/journalism through the effective usage of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)” by Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Lagos-Nigeria; and ‘the making of an investigative Reporter: Best practices, practical guides and methodologies of effective investigative reporting” by Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Premium Times, Abuja.

Group discussions by the participants focussed on ‘Transparency and accountability issues requiring new or further investigation and reporting’ and ‘the challenges of investigative reporting/journalism in Nigeria’ as well plenary sessions on a number of issues pertaining to investigative, transparency and accountability reporting in Nigeria.

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