Media-focused Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) must devote more resources to training news editors and mass communication lecturers in tertiary institutions to embrace professional trends and address media challenges to achieve better synergy and improved outputs for the sector. These were the views of Lekan Otufodunrin, Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN) and Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) as Otufodunrin presented an award to Alaka in recognition of her outstanding contributions to capacity development for female journalists in Nigeria, globally and advocacy for gender equity in the news media.
In a brief remark before the award presentation which was first presented virtually in 2022, the former Managing Editor, Online and Special Publications of The Nation Newspaper, Otufodunrin, who also presented ‘The media capacity development report’ by MCDN which was supported by the WSCIJ to Alaka said NGOs must create awareness and training opportunities for journalists and stakeholders within the media space. He lauded the growing impact of Report Women! Programme of the WSCIJ on the Nigerian media space and society saying the initiative was the rationale behind the award as part of MCDN’s activities to mark last year’s International Women’s Day. He referred to the initiative that includes training, a fellowship programme, multi-level advocacy, and engagement with media management on the need to change the face of leadership in the newsroom to be as female as they are male, as a real game changer.
Another MCDN’s Board of Trustees member, Ugomma Cookey, thanked WSCIJ for its contributions to the media space. She said the centre’s impact on the media and society through commissioned investigative stories, collaborations, media awards, and amplification of marginalised voices is commendable. In the opinion of the Deputy Director of Training at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), more journalists are eager to take advantage of WSCIJ platforms.
While accepting the award, Alaka thanked MCDN for the recognition. She said the WSCIJ would look into more innovative ways to accommodate more journalists to benefit from the training on reporting issues concerning women and girls under the Report Women! Speaking about the report, she noted that media training is not the exclusive responsibility of media intervention organisations like the WSCIJ. Alaka enjoined seasoned journalists to bring their experience to bear through training and mentorship for upcoming professionals within their organisations.
As the call for the amplification and inclusion of voices of women continues, she cautioned that “The challenge with most inclusivity campaigns is that they easily become exclusive.” She therefore advised that conversations about equity for women must include more men. Alaka noted that constructive conversations are essential steps toward achieving equality in newsrooms and leadership positions. During the brief event, higher institutions and media organisations were also encouraged to take advantage of available and experienced resources within their system to train the next generation of reporters.
Many female journalists have attained leadership positions in news media organisations courtesy of training and engagements with newsroom leadership. So far, WSCIJ has trained 134 reporters in Nigeria and produced 74 FRLP Fellows. 12 female reporters are currently undergoing training under the 2023 FRLP cohort. WSCIJ produced a documentary titled: The untold stories of girls and women in Nigeria on issues of access to education, health care, and economic empowerment – as well as the issues of abuse – widowhood practice, sexual violence, forced marriage, displacement, domestic violence, and other challenges women face. Otufodunrin also presented signed copies of his latest book; ‘Dateline Cardiff: Unforgettable media training experience and impact’. The brief event had in attendance other members of staff of WSCIJ and MCDN.