A non-governmental organisation, Civic Society on Migration and Development has trained 20 journalists drawn from 10 media houses across Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states–on migration reporting.
Speaking at the end of the 2-day capacity-building workshop, held in Kano, Dr Emeka Chris Obiezu, executive director of the organization, appealed to the federal government to integrate the media into the “the technical working group of the National Migration Management architecture in the country.”
Mr Obiezu said it is imperative to ensure that the media are fully represented as key actors at the technical working group to serve as a channel of coordinating their reportage on migration towards strengthening migration governance in Nigeria.
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He observed that 80% of migrants in Nigeria are internal, yet journalists pay little or no attention to internal migrant-related stories, adding that he was optimistic that the workshop, which centered on the role of the media in migration, will go a long way in changing the narrative.
Mr Obiezu however advised the media practitioners to inculcate the habit of writing stories that highlight both positive and negative sides of migration stories as the case may be.
Similarly, a communication consultant, who also facilitated the workshop, Prof Ikechukwu Anthony Kalu said there are a number of migrants who are making their countries and continent proud through their innovations and newsworthy contributions to national development.
Mr Anthony noted that positive migrant stories should also be given priority by the media to ensure balance reports.
He observed that due to lack of required skills and knowledge, most of migration reports lack accuracy and humanity.
The expert however urged journalists to desist from sensational journalism by strictly adhering to the required national and international guidelines and principles of reporting migrant stories.
