Special Report
By Chukwudi George Ozalla
Against the backdrop of growing concerns over misinformation, declining public trust in institutions and widening social divisions across Nigeria, media practitioners gathered in Abuja for a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the role of journalism in promoting social cohesion, national unity and responsible public discourse.
The workshop, themed Equipping Media Practitioners as Champions of Social Cohesion Towards the Promotion of Responsible Journalism, was organised by the Africa Polling Institute (API) with support from the Ford Foundation. It brought together journalists, editors, broadcasters, public information officers, communication experts and social media influencers and On Air Personalities (OAP) from different parts of the country for intensive engagements on the evolving responsibilities of the media in a rapidly changing information landscape.
Held at Treasure Suites and Conference Centre, Abuja, the training focused on data-driven journalism, ethical storytelling, conflict-sensitive reporting, information verification and the use of evidence-based narratives to promote inclusion, peaceful coexistence and democratic accountability.
At the heart of the discussions was a growing recognition that journalism today faces challenges that extend beyond gathering and disseminating information. Participants examined how media narratives shape public attitudes, influence social relations and either strengthen or weaken trust within communities.
Drawing extensively from findings of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey (NSCS), facilitators explored the relationship between public perception, governance, social trust and national development, while encouraging journalists to make greater use of research findings and verified data in their reporting.
Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute, Prof. Bell Ihua, underscored the strategic role of the media in building a more cohesive society, noting that journalists remain among the most influential actors in shaping national conversations.
“We have not fully tapped into our diversity as a people, the moment we begin to embrace our diversity, we will realise that Nigeria can be much greater than it is today.
“That is why we continue to generate evidence through our annual social cohesion surveys, the data helps us track trends and determine whether government, civil society organisations and other stakeholders are implementing recommendations that can strengthen national unity.”
According to him, the media has a responsibility to promote national identity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence through accurate, balanced and responsible reporting.
The workshop also provided a platform for critical reflection on some of the challenges confronting journalism in contemporary society.
Participants identified misinformation, disinformation and the increasing pressure for instant publication as major threats to professional journalism. While acknowledging the demands of the digital age, contributors maintained that speed should never come at the expense of accuracy, fairness and context.
Discussions highlighted the difficulties journalists often encounter when seeking responses from individuals, organisations or public officials accused of wrongdoing. Participants observed that despite such challenges, media practitioners must continue to demonstrate diligence and professionalism by making genuine efforts to obtain all sides of a story before publication.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need to strike a balance between investigative and hard-hitting journalism and constructive journalism.
Participants argued that while the media must continue to hold public officials, institutions and powerful interests accountable, journalists should also devote attention to stories that showcase innovation, problem-solving initiatives, community resilience and positive developments capable of inspiring citizens and strengthening confidence in society.
The conversations reflected growing recognition within the profession that journalism serves not only as a watchdog but also as a platform for dialogue, learning and national development.
API Board Member, Mr. Olusoji Adeniyi, cautioned journalists against stereotypes and narratives capable of reinforcing prejudice or deepening divisions.
“We need to avoid assumptions that certain ethnic groups are responsible for particular crimes, criminals are criminals.
“We should humanise the process, tell stories from the human angle and ensure our reports contribute to national unity and social cohesion.”
His contributions throughout the training workshop aligned strongly with participants as discussions turned to the impact of language, framing, lived accounts and representation in news reporting. Other facilitators who contributed richly to the discourse were Dr Helen Emore abd Dr Obiora Chukwumba.
Contributors noted that the careless use of ethnic, religious or social labels can unintentionally reinforce bias and deepen existing tensions. They stressed the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting and urged journalists to focus on facts and individual accountability rather than collective profiling.
Drawing lessons from international experiences, Adeniyi also highlighted the role of vocational education, skills acquisition and inclusive policies in strengthening social cohesion and creating opportunities for young people.
The workshop equally devoted significant attention to fact-checking and verification techniques.
Participants engaged in practical exercises designed to improve their ability to identify misleading information, verify digital content and utilise credible research data in news production. The sessions reflected increasing concern about the impact of false information on public trust, democratic engagement and social stability.
Director of Special Duties and Head of Multimedia at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ismail Abdulaziz, described data-driven reporting as one of the most effective ways journalists can strengthen credibility and public confidence.
“A good way of gaining credibility as media professionals is to use facts supported by statistics.
“When people see that our reports are based on evidence and reliable data, they are more likely to trust the information and act on it.
“The African Polling Institute has made our work easier by providing extensive data that journalists can use to promote social cohesion through their reports.”
Participants said the exposure to social cohesion data and evidence-based reporting tools would enhance their professional practice and improve the quality of their work across various media platforms.
The welfare of journalists also featured prominently during the discussions.
Chief Executive Officer of Akweya Television, Mr. Odoh Diego, argued that the working conditions of journalists directly influence the quality of journalism and public service delivery.
“If journalists are properly taken care of, they can tell more socially cohesive and patriotic stories without worrying about their livelihoods.
“Training is important but we must also pay attention to the welfare of journalists, including insurance, professional support and improved remuneration.
“However, journalists now have more social media platforms to earn extra income. Personal capacity building is key to keeping up both financially and professionally.”
He further encouraged journalists to broaden their professional competencies beyond conventional reporting by exploring opportunities in communication consulting, research, policy analysis and content development.
As the workshop progressed, participants shared experiences from their respective newsrooms and communication platforms, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas on ethical reporting, public trust, conflict prevention and the future of journalism in Nigeria.
Many described the training as timely and enriching, expressing optimism that the knowledge and skills acquired would strengthen their capacity to produce reports that promote understanding, inclusion and social responsibility. Participants commended the Africa Polling Institute (API) for the opportunity, describing the training as timely and impactful, and remained fully engaged throughout the two-day programme. Participants remained fully engaged throughout the sessions, demonstrating sustained attention and commitment from start to finish, a level of commitment often not observed in similar training programmes.
Certificates were presented to participants in recognition of their successful completion of the training, marking the end of two days of intensive engagement on social cohesion, ethical journalism and evidence-based reporting.
The Africa Polling Institute is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan research think tank dedicated to generating credible data and evidence to support governance, development and citizen engagement. Through initiatives such as the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey, the institute continues to provide insights aimed at strengthening public discourse, policy formulation and social cohesion across Nigeria.
