By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – A freelance content creator, Mr Nasiru Mu’azu-Isa, says journalists must be imbued with courage to withstand threats in their quest to expose corruption and other wrong doings in the country.
Mu’azu-Isa gave the advice in
a paper he presented on investigative journalism and communication for development, on Friday in Abuja.
“Journalists have duties to watch how well people in power perform their jobs especially those who have been elected to public office.
“Journalists can only bring wrong doing into the light or public attention with hope that the society will do the rest, to punish wrong doers or to change a system which is at fault.
“The journalist should be able to expose abuse, corruption and criminal activities in fields of public life”, he said.
Mu’azu-Isa, a former content creator for radio and television with BBC Media Action Nigeria, said an investigative journalist must be patient and inquisitive.
“Investigative journalism is needed to uncover important stories which people want to hide.
“Investigative journalists need all the skills of general reporting, but especially an alert mind to recognise story ideas and important facts which people are trying to hide.
“An ordered mind to make notes, file information and find a lot of facts together; patience to keep digging for information from good contacts throughout society.
“Also, courage to withstand threats from people you are investigating, as well as accumulating information with supporting evidence,” he added.
He, however, cautioned against using unverified information to avoid legal implications.
“Always consult a lawyer if you have any worries about the legality of what you are doing or writing.
“Double check everything you do, from the information you gather to the way you write your final story, and
work within the law,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day media training is organised by the Justice, Development and Peace Commission of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese.
The diocese is conducting the anti human trafficking campaign under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), funded by the United States Agency for International Development.(NAN/vitalnews)
