Foundation Trains Journalists in C’River On Climate Reporting, Data Storytelling
CALABAR – The Godshield Kanjal Journalism Foundation (GKJF), a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council, has trained journalists on climate reporting in Calabar.
Speaking during the training which marked the maiden collaboration between GKJF and the NUJ, the organizers said the training was motivated by the underreported climate issues affecting Cross River State, the south-south region and the country in general.
Founder of GKJF, Godshield Kanjal, advised participants to “Take advantage of this training plus the experience and expertise in this job to solve societal and climate issues.”
He decried the minimal rate of participation by journalists, especially in Cross River and Southern Nigeria ancestry in specialized beat, especially on climate change and encouraged participants to take advantage of the space.
The resource person, Solution Journalist and Deputy Editor at Prime Progress based in Abuja, Mr. Ogar Monday emphasized the need for journalists to add, express and anchor their works based on data.
He said, “Always use data when doing your reports. Data connects your story to the global audience and gives it a human face.”
Monday emphasised that a report backed by data is a way of showcasing facts in day-to-day journalism practice and best reporting.
He enjoined participants to be fully in the know of the current and developing facts backed up with data, tools, and research to demonstrate their expertise when reporting their beats.
Shortly after the training, one of the participants, Tina Todo of the Pillar Newspaper, expressed satisfaction with the training and lauded the organizers for the activity.
Another participant and Cross River NUJ Secretary who doubles as Bureau Chief for the Guardian Newspaper, Solomon Azu, expressed delight with the training and prayed for more eye-opening training.
The highly interactive exercise featured senior journalists from national and local media outfits such as the Leadership Newspapers, Blueprint Newspaper, Daily Trust Newspaper, Daily Post Newspaper, Pillar Newspaper, and CrossRiverWatch amongst others.
The GKJF also launched its maiden journalism Fellowship after the training.
Independent.ng
