Amnesty International, Nigeria has raised concern over the persistent neglect of human rights issues in the country.
The group called for greater accountability while training journalists on ethical, gender-sensitive reporting and strategies to amplify human rights in public discourse.
The concern was expressed during a two-day media training on “Human Rights-Centered Journalism” held on September 15 and 16 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with more than 50 journalists from across the South-South geopolitical zone.
Speaking at the training, the Project Supervisor, Mrs. Barbara Magaji, said the programme was aimed at equipping journalists with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to amplify the rights of children and report human rights issues fairly and objectively. She stressed that the media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and must avoid stereotypes, gender bias, and unethical practices while promoting equity and professionalism.
Mrs. Magaji urged journalists to prioritise factual, in-depth, and well-researched stories over sensationalism, noting that such reporting strengthens democracy and gives visibility to human rights violations.
One of the facilitators, Dr Arthur Martins Aginam, speaking on “Journalism Theory and Practice: A Human Rights Perspective,” reminded participants that fundamental rights including the right to life, liberty, expression, and association, are embedded in every individual.
He explained that journalists must serve as the voice of the people while upholding truth, independence, and the discipline of verification, while warning practitioners against disinformation, hate speech, and fake news which undermine public trust.
Another facilitator, Dr Kabiru Danladi, in his session on “Applying Media Ethics in Daily Practice: From Code to Conduct,” highlighted the importance of fairness, accuracy, and accountability in human rights reporting.
He called for rigorous fact-checking and cautioned journalists to treat victims of abuse with dignity, respect, and confidentiality, avoiding further harm in the pursuit of truth.
In his part, Dr Abdul Mahmud, lawyer and human rights advocate, urged journalists to adopt a rights-based approach in their work. He stressed the need to verify facts, demand details of police petitions, seek legal representation, and insist on due process.
According to him, vague invitations, arbitrary arrests, and misuse of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act are increasingly being weaponised as “legal terror” to silence the press and weaken democracy, and urged journalists to be proactive by paying attention to details.
The two-day training also featured practical sessions on gender-sensitive reporting, safety strategies for journalists working under threat, and approaches to shaping narratives that protect lives and promote social justice.
