Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and North East Regional Initiative (NERI) has put together a 3-day intensive training workshop for the Media Practitioners in Nigeria, most importantly those who have keen interest in covering and reporting Counter Violence Extremism within the volatile regions particularly North East region in Nigeria.
The training which had carefully selected participant journalists from radio, Television, Print and Online based on merit across the six geo-political zones in attendance, was geared towards enhancing the capacity of news outlets across Nigeria to report on Violent Extremism (VE) in the North East.
According to NERI Representative while addressing the participants at the training, “While a lot has been said about “Countering Violent Extremism” or CVE, this workshop is going to look at shifting the paradigm and focus more on TVE, or Transforming Violent Extremism” he said.
He further added that this “Workshop for Journalists” approach is aimed at assessing and taking a cursory look at the root causes, key issues, and narratives that serve as drivers that have led to the proliferation of VE in Nigeria”.
“This workshop focuses on using our power and leverage as media professionals and communicators to develop stories that address the root problems leading to VE and build alternative and transformative narratives and stories that can lead to lasting and effective solutions to the problem said Oladotun Fadeyiye, one of the Participants/Panelists at workshop and Founder of Dotunroy.com.
He added that “all-hands-on-deck” approach and a shared and common
understanding of the root causes of the violent insurgency that is occurring in North East Nigeria must be adopted by the Nigerian journalists for effective reporting.
Amina, an Online Reporter, who was also an active participant at the workshop said the workshop is an eye opener for her and her level of understanding regarding the Violent Extremism has been enhanced.
“We are taught several ways to identify the roots causes of VE in most volatile regions and “Common Ground Approach,” a proven and tested approach predicated on the notion of
transformative engagement and the move away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions to addressing issues such as VE was introduced to all the participants journalists for effective reporting on CVE” she said.
Each of the trained journalists received a Certificate of Completion at the end of the 3 day workshop which ended on Friday 8th June, 2018.