TIEMS Chair Urges Humanitarian Journalists to Uphold Ethical Reporting Standards

TIEMS Chair Urges Humanitarian Journalists to Uphold Ethical Reporting Standards

The Chairman of the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) – Nigeria, AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (Rtd), has called upon humanitarian journalists to adopt responsible and ethical reporting practices, particularly in times of crisis. His remarks were made during the TIEMS Capacity Building Workshop and Training for Journalists focused on effectively covering disaster and emergency issues in Nigeria.

Audu-Bida, a former Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), underscored the crucial role that humanitarian journalists play in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the necessity for responsible media storytelling. He stressed the importance of highlighting human stories and personal narratives, urging journalists to pivot their focus toward recovery efforts, actionable solutions, and advocacy for positive change.

“Accurate and timely coverage can save lives, enhance public understanding, and hold authorities accountable,” Audu-Bida stated, emphasizing that the manner in which emergencies are reported can significantly influence public perception and the operational effectiveness of response agencies.

In a pivotal presentation on “Crisis Communication Strategies: Navigating Misinformation and Public Perception During Emergencies,” Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, CEO of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), addressed the urgent issues of fake news and misinformation. He underscored the critical role of ethical reporting in humanitarian crises and highlighted the media’s power to shape public perception and influence decision-making processes.

Shuaib urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and objectification, calling for contextualized reporting that emphasizes prevention and mitigation strategies.

Mr. Sanya Adejokun, a veteran journalist and founding chairman of Journalists Against Disaster (JAD), echoed these sentiments by stressing the ethical implications of reporting on sensitive issues, such as informed consent and privacy. He emphasized the need for balanced and timely reporting, asserting that adherence to these guidelines empowers humanitarian journalists to address crises in a manner that is ethical, respectful, and impactful.

In his presentation titled “Understanding Disaster Risk Reduction and Management: A Journalist’s Guide to Reporting on Preparedness, Response, and Recovery,” Adejokun outlined how journalists can inform the public while catalyzing advocacy for affected populations.

The workshop also featured a third presentation by Gbenga Morenikeji, who spoke on “Building Resilience Through Media: The Role of Journalism in Shaping Public Perception and Behavior During Emergencies.” Morenikeji explored how responsible journalism can foster resilience in the face of disasters, while also highlighting the media’s role in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors during crises.

Overall, the TIEMS workshop reinforced the paramount importance of ethical and responsible reporting during emergency situations, illustrating that accurate and timely coverage is not only crucial for saving lives but also essential for accountability and effective governance.

By PRNigeria