By Paul Efiong A two-day national workshop for media practitioners and the Civil Society Organizations came to an end in Abuja on Friday, with a clarion call on participants to always ensure mutual harmonious working relationship in the interest of peace, security and national development.
The workshop theme “Strengthening Advocacy and Civil Engagement” was painstakingly chosen to ensure that participants derive maximum benefits while engaging other critical stakeholders in their day-to-day work.
One of the facilitators at the workshop John Onyeukwu, who is also the Deputy Chief of Party, Strengthening Advocacy and Civil Engagement (SAGE) while delivering a lecture under the topic ’Principles of High Impact Reporting’ reminded media practitioners who participated at the event to always adhere strictly to the ethics of journalism profession adding that readers and viewers opinions could be shaped through a well-researched editorial meant to change popular beliefs among citizenry.
Onyeukwu further reminded journalists and Civil Society Organizations in the country to see themselves as friends and not as foes in view of their critical role in nation building as two organizations are very important in nation building particularly under a democratic setting.
The workshop also featured the role of the media in development reporting as well as issues in development reporting etc.
The workshop afforded participants an opportunity to x-ray vividly some of their challenges while working assiduously to strengthening their advocacy role in Nigeria.
Another facilitator, an independent media consultant, Angela Agoawike while speaking under the topic ’Challenges and Constraints in Development reporting’ identified data availability, lack of interest ,logistics, ownership and poor remuneration as major constraints facing media practitioners in the country.
The workshop was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development(USAID)
