A cross section of stakeholders has called on the government at all levels to provide empowerment and protection for journalists covering migration stories.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the stakeholders made the call at a workshop with the theme: “Let’s talk migration 2.2″, which was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued by Ms Cyprine Cheptepkeny, who coordinated the workshop, the stakeholders called on Nigeria’s media to educate the public on the dangers of irregular migration.
They said there was the need for journalists to probe into why some people defy the risks involved in irregular migration to undertake the journey.
“It is the media’s responsibility to make people understand the dangers of irregular migration. Media professionals need to continuously build their capacity on reporting.
“The media can also propagate information and updates on travels and travel documentation like changes in visa application processes to inform the public on the right ways to travel,” they said.
The stakeholders also called for the re-orientation of the media professionals on how to measure the progress made in combating irregular migration.
They also called on the need for media to take initiatives and project new ways of reporting stories that would bring migration stories into the mainstream discussion.
“Government and international development partners need to set up migration news/help desk in media houses by liaising with the heads of the media houses.
“There is a need for more collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships amongst media houses rather than the competition so as to proffer solutions to issues and challenges especially as they relate to migration.
“All stakeholders need to focus more on research and verification of data from different sources so that reportage is comprehensive,’’ the stakeholders said.
They also advised journalists to partner National Orientation Agency on fact-check projects about irregular migration.
They advised that the incidences of being “first to report” needs to be checked to prevent the spread of fake news.
“They also said there was the need for the media to focus more on reportage and dissemination of information on the safe migration pathways”.