Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Amnesty International has trained journalists from the five South-East states and Delta on human rights and gender-sensitive reporting.
The two-day workshop, held in Enugu, aimed to equip journalists with tools to report stories through a human rights lens.
Amnesty International Nigeria’s Communications Officer, Mr. Michael Christian, said the training was necessary as many media reports lacked empathy and gender sensitivity despite being factual. He urged participants to prioritise humanity in their reportage and share the lessons with colleagues.
A resource person, Dr. Chijioke Agbo of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, called for the repeal of the Public Order Act of 1979, describing it as repressive and anti-democratic. He also criticised the Cybercrimes Act, saying it has been used to silence dissent.
Agbo urged journalists to speak out against human rights violations and hold violators accountable, warning that democracy was under threat due to state repression and judicial decline.
Another speaker, Dr. Annie Agi, advised journalists to be gender-responsive and avoid using demeaning or stigmatising language in their reports.
Other facilitators, including Dr. Kabiru Danladi and Hajiya Zainab Okino, stressed ethical reporting and journalists’ safety while covering rights abuses.
