Amnesty International has urged journalists in Plateau State to embrace ethical, conflict-sensitive, and human rights-centered reporting, describing the media as critical to promoting justice and accountability in Nigeria.
The call was made during a two-day media training held in Jos, themed “Human Rights-Centered Journalism.” The workshop, organized for members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, brought together reporters from various media houses to enhance their capacity in covering human rights and conflict-related issues.
Programme Manager at Amnesty International, Babara Magaji, said the training aimed to empower journalists not just as informants but as frontline defenders of human rights.
“The media is not just a messenger but a frontline defender of human rights. When violations occur, how these are reported matters greatly,” she said, urging reporters to consider the ethical weight of their narratives, especially in stories involving killings, evictions, or protests.
She also emphasized the organisation’s ongoing advocacy against abuses such as arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and suppression of speech, stressing the need for journalists to expose violations and hold authorities accountable.
Speaking on ethical reporting in conflict situations, Dr. Kabiru Danladi of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, cautioned against the use of stereotypes and language that stigmatizes communities.
“In a country grappling with conflict, the media can either heal or harm. When you say ‘Fulani herdsman’ or ‘Kanuri Boko Haram,’ you risk criminalizing entire groups,” he said. “Focus on root causes like inequality or marginalization, not just symptoms. And remember speed should never trump accuracy.”
A public affairs analyst, Dr. Gad Peter Shamaki, highlighted the dangers journalists face in volatile environments, warning of the physical and emotional risks involved in the profession.
“Many journalists are casualties of trauma, burnout, and institutional neglect. A journalist who dies chasing a story becomes the story. Safety must be planned, not prayed for,” he said.
He called for better safety mechanisms and urged NUJ chapters to institutionalize protocols, including training, insurance, and emergency preparedness. He also advised journalists to maintain communication with civil society groups, security agencies, and local leaders before covering volatile areas.
On the issue of gender representation in reporting, Associate Professor Dr. Plangsat Dayil of the University of Jos urged journalists to promote inclusive narratives.
“In our newsrooms, women are often quoted as victims, not experts. That imbalance reflects broader systemic issues. We must quote women as authorities and use language that affirms their competence,” she said.
She encouraged the adoption of intersectional approaches that take into account how gender, class, disability, and ethnicity influence lived experiences and media coverage.
Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Polycarp Auta, described the training as timely and necessary.
“Journalists are often the first witnesses to rights abuses. Our reporting mobilizes public awareness and drives accountability,” he said, thanking Amnesty International for its support and calling for sustained engagement.
The workshop also featured a session titled “The Journalist as a Human Rights Advocate,” which focused on the use of evidence-based storytelling to expose injustice and amplify marginalized voices.
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