NEMA, Journalists Brainstorm on Factual Disaster-Emergency Reportage

NEMA, Journalists Brainstorm on Factual Disaster-Emergency Reportage

Disaster events across the nation, to some extent, are still not being reported in the media in a way that will avail the general public with only accurate information.

But key stakeholders involved in managing the impact of natural disasters and emergency crises in the country have brainstormed on how to address the issue.

This was at a forum in Lagos State, themed: “Disaster Resilience in Media: Sensitization Workshop on Promoting Ethical and Impactful Reporting for Media Practitioners”.

The workshop, put together by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Impact Pointe Consultancy Limited, Vista, Radi8 and The Media Training Room, was graced by the NEMA Director General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed and other top management staff of the emergency response body.

Publishers/founders of various media organizations, senior editors and the leading lights of the Nigerian media industry, drawn from the broadcast, print and online segment, also participated in the event.

The workshop provided an opportunity for NEMA to interact with media practitioners, share learning and insights and equip the media practitioners with knowledge that would help in their reportage, as well as enabling them to mediate information, disinformation and fake news, while building resilience in the sector.

Habib Ahmed, in his keynote address titled, “Strengthening Disaster Reporting: Media as Catalysts for Resilience,” said: “We intend to foster collaboration and networking between media practitioners and NEMA. Our shared goal is to facilitate effective information dissemination during emergencies.

“By working together, we can ensure that timely and accurate information reaches the public, creating much needed awareness and enabling them to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions where applicable”.

The NEMA helmsman, while speaking further, observed that the workshop was necessary to enable media practitioners report on disasters and their NEMA as the apex disaster management agency in the country.

“The objective is to provide a clear understanding of NEMA’s remit, Nigeria’s triple response structure, and NEMA’s relationship with subnational actors. Equally important is your awareness of NEMA’s information dissemination and emergency protocols,” he said.

Mr. Habib Ahmed enjoined media practitioners to act as gate-keepers in the present era of disinformation. “We trust you to act as the bulwark against misinformation and fake news and the shenanigans of citizen journalists and fifth columnists”.

Responding on behalf of the invited journalists, Maureen Chigbo, President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), commended NEMA for organizing the auspicious workshop.

She said: “The workshop was insightful and timely. It would help enhance the reportage of disasters and emergencies from the perspective of well-informed media practitioners”.

By PRNigeria