CDD Trains Katsina Journalists on Peacebuilding and Conflict Reporting

Journalists in Nigeria's Katsina State have undergone a two-day capacity-building workshop focused on peacebuilding, ethical reporting, and conflict analysis. Organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Mercy Corps, the training was supported by the European Union.

The initiative, themed ‘From Conflict to Cohesion: The Journalists’ Role in Building Peace in Communities,’ is part of a broader project to foster social cohesion and strengthen community resilience in Nigeria’s North-West region. The workshop aimed to equip media practitioners with essential skills for reporting conflicts responsibly and contributing to sustainable peace.

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Journalists are very key and strategic actors in every fragile environment. They have the power to make peace and build peace, but they also possess the capacity to create conflict. That is why we considered it important to engage them as critical stakeholders in promoting social cohesion.

John Dash Lazing, CDD’s Regional Programme Manager, highlighted the media's significant influence, describing it as a "double-edged sword." He stressed that responsible journalism and accurate information dissemination are vital for maintaining peace and stability. Lazing urged journalists to embrace ethical, peace-oriented practices to prevent violent conflicts, especially in fragile communities.

He further advised media practitioners to critically analyze conflicts, understand their root causes, and present information in ways that do not inflame emotions or escalate violence. The Head of the IOM Sub-Office, Jean Nahesi Kutumbakana, also emphasized that credible information is a cornerstone of conflict prevention and peaceful coexistence, advocating for stronger collaboration between journalists and media organizations with local government bodies like the Katsina State Ministry of Information and Culture.

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I call on you to critically analyse conflicts, understand the underlying factors, and present information in a manner that promotes understanding rather than division.