By Agok Mercy and Roselyn Yusuf
JoeyOffAir,recently conducted a training program aimed at fostering community journalism in Central Nigeria. The training took place at the Kefiano Creative Hub aimed to empower aspiring and practising journalists with the necessary skills to create positive change through their reporting of local stories to a global audience.
The training kick-started by highlighting the power of storytelling in bringing about social change. The participants engaged in interactive sessions led by the lead facilitator, Johnstone Kpilaakaa.
The training covered a wide range of topics including the importance of in-depth reporting, developing a deep understanding of local communities, and uncovering hidden stories. Participants were encouraged to go beyond surface-level reporting and explore issues affecting marginalised and underrepresented segments of society.
Furthermore, it enabled the participants in honing their reporting and storytelling skills. Techniques for conducting effective interviews, fact-checking, and utilising multimedia storytelling tools were also taught.
Kpilaakaa made emphasis on the importance of responsible journalism and maintaining ethical standards throughout the training program. He encouraged the participants to learn to prioritise accuracy, objectivity, and truth in reporting, ultimately empowering them to become catalysts for positive change in their communities.
“The training was very impressive, detailed and informative and I love the simplicity of our facilitator. It really stirred up in me the zeal to start gathering more resources and knowledge on storytelling and the need to be more sensitive and curious about the happenings around me,” says Joy Temidoye, a participant at the training.
JoeyOffAir’s commitment to driving community journalism is a testament to the power of media in shaping public discourse and initiating social change. It is expected that the ripple effect of this training will lead to a more inclusive and empowered society where community voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
