Sokoto Journalists Trained in Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

In Sokoto State, Nigeria, approximately 150 journalists and media practitioners have undergone training focused on conflict-sensitive reporting and responsible journalism. The two-day workshop, a collaboration between International Alert and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), was funded by the European Union as part of the 'Resilience, Engagement, and Conflict-Prevention for At-Risk Populations’ Protection in Sokoto State Project.'

The initiative aims to equip media professionals with the necessary skills to cover conflicts accurately and avoid exacerbating tensions. Sanusi Audu, Programme Manager for International Alert, highlighted the critical role the media plays in either de-escalating or intensifying conflicts. "Our objective is to ensure that journalists have the knowledge and tools to report conflict in a manner that promotes peace, accuracy and social cohesion," Audu stated.

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The media has a critical role to play in either escalating or reducing conflict. Our objective is to ensure that journalists have the knowledge and tools to report conflict in a manner that promotes peace, accuracy and social cohesion.

Participants represented various media platforms, including radio, print, online, and digital, as well as social media influencers and citizen journalists. The training was deemed essential due to the increasing prevalence of unverified information and inflammatory narratives during conflict situations. According to Remikat Blessing Ayuba, Coordinator of the RECAP Consortium, the training was informed by a Peace and Conflict Analysis that identified unemployment and poverty as key drivers of conflict in Sokoto. The analysis also pointed to rumors, identity-based narratives, and politicized interpretations spread through digital and broadcast channels as factors that deepen mistrust.

Key areas covered during the training included the Do-No-Harm approach, narrative framing, managing disinformation and rumors, identifying AI-generated disinformation, and employing digital verification and Open Source Intelligence techniques. Participants also received instruction on sensitive reporting of sexual and gender-based violence, gender and social inclusion, peace-promoting journalism, and the safety and well-being of journalists covering insecurity. The program incorporated practical exercises, such as verification drills and case analyses, using real-world examples from Sokoto.

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The findings clearly showed that information can either contribute to peace or worsen existing tensions. This is why strengthening the capacity of journalists is critical to conflict prevention.