A university lecturer, Dr. Mohammed Dantala Aliyu, has appealed to journalists to prioritize accuracy over being the first to break news, warning that misinformation can lead to dire consequences in society.
Dr. Aliyu, who lectures at the Justice Fati Lami Abubakar Institute for Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS), made the call during a one-day sensitization program for journalists and mass communication students in Minna. The event was organized by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) under the Nigeria-Benin Border Communities Peace Initiative.
In his presentation titled "Understanding the Roots of Conflict," Dr. Aliyu emphasized that journalists should diligently fact-check and ensure balanced reporting, while considering national interest and security.
"Society is looking up to the media and that is why we should try to be objective and ensure our stories are balanced before going to the press," Dr. Aliyu stated.
The training aimed at strengthening collaboration between media practitioners and peace actors, particularly in addressing challenges in border communities.
Daniel Atori, Chairman of the Kwara/Niger SFCG Media Team, delivered a presentation on "The Role of the Media in Peacebuilding." He urged journalists to uphold professional ethics by promoting factual, balanced reporting while avoiding inciting or judgmental narratives.
Michael Daniel Dungyila, the Niger State representative of SFCG, highlighted the organization's mission and ongoing efforts to build peaceful communities through grassroots engagement and strategic communication.
Earlier, Priscilla Dennis, the Niger State Media Team Lead of SFCG, explained that the sensitization program was designed to improve understanding and response to conflict, particularly in vulnerable border regions.
"The gathering is a significant step towards fostering a culture of peace in communities. We aim to improve the perception of peace and security in our state and change attitudes as well as improve knowledge," she stated.
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