Multimedia Newsroom Workshop: 40 Kano Journalists Receive Training.
By Khadija Aliyu
Investigative journalism, has been identified as a method of increasing public awareness, accountability, transparency, and improved decision making.
The head of mass communication department, faculty of communications, Bayero university Kano (BUK), Professor Mainasara Kurfi, made the indication, during a one day multimedia newsroom training,held in Kano.
According to him, investigative reporting shines light on the inner workings of government, institutions and corporations, as well as bringing to light important issues, that would other wise go unnoticed.
He identified some characteristics of investigative reports such as, clear concise introduction, that provides the reader with the essential information about the topic, a well organized body, strong conclusion that summarizes the key findings, and implications of the investigation, among others.
” rudiments for investigative reporting includes compelling question or hypothesis, research and analysis, source development,critical thinking and clear, compelling writing”
The chairman, Nigeria union of journalists (NUJ),Kano chapter Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, cautioned journalists against disclosing their sources of information, during investigative reporting.
He emphasized on the need to build relationships, which entails patience and sacrifice, and cautioned journalists against exposing themselves, to danger while covering stories.
Earlier in his welcome address, the project coordinator, who doubles editor in chief stallion times media, Alhaji Isiyaku Ahmed pointed out that, the workshop was aimed at building the capacity of media practitioners on investigative reporting, journalism ethics, safety, media literacy,independence and sustainability.
He maintained that, in today’s world of media convergence, news story telling has changed, which necessitated the need for reporters and editors to be empowered with the necessary skills, that would make them report in social spaces.
“The project is in collaboration with Wole Soyinka center for investigative journalism under the collaborative media project funded by MacArthur foundation”
The one day multimedia newsroom training, organized by stallion times media services, under it’s 3-year participatory governance and media literacy project (G-DRIP), witnessed turn out of 40 journalists from print, broadcast and new media.
