By Joseph Edegbo
Journalists in Africa have been tasked to embrace new technologies to improve their reportage and keep abreast with digital tools and techniques. This would enable them to uptake, retool and to re skill to cope with the current realities.
They are also told to look beyond reporting Press Releases or attending Press Conferences but pursue impactful stories that affect the challenges Communities are faced
These are contained in a communique of the 8th Africa Conference on Development Journalism held recently in Kaduna , Nigeria.
The communique among others, applauds the AMDF Journalist of the Year Contest which is aimed at encouraging high quality reportage that addresses development challenges and promotes transparency, accountability and good governance in Africa.
The resolutions which were signed by Dickson Adama of the Daily Trust Newspaper and Nicholas Dekera of the Kaduna state Council of the NUJ, commend the AMDF for its consistency in organizing the conference which aptly addresses issues facing the practices of contemporary development Journalism in the continent.
HEREUNDER THE FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 8th AFRICA CONFERENCE ON DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM WITH THE THEME “BEYOND BORDERS: INNOVATION AND SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM” HELD 4th –5th DECEMBER, 2024, AT ASAA PYRAMID HOTEL, KADUNA, NIGERIA.
PREAMBLE.
The 8th Africa Conference on Development Journalism brought together over 200 participants including influential Journalists, media executives, media associates, academia, CSOs and development partnersTheThe theme of the conference,” Beyond Borders; Innovation and Solutions For the Future Development Journalism was discussed along other topics.
These topics include Intersection of Innovation, Development Journalism, and Peace Building; Media Advocacy in Family Health: Success an Gaps; Media and Mental Health; Intersection of Journalism, Theory and Practice; and Mainstreaming Disability: Best Practices for Development Journalists.
It also featured Panel discussions on Development Journalism: Where Theory and Practical and Field Work Meet; Development Journalism and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Challenges and Opportunities; Media, Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development Goals; Media and Disability Inclusion; and Community Based Dialogue For Sustainable Peace: the USIP-NNF Model.
From the foregoing, the conference resolved that:-
Journalists should embrace new technologies to improve their reportage and keep abreast with digital tools and techniques to enable them uptake, retool and to re skill to cope with the current realities.
That Innovation should be at the centre point of every conversation as it has helped Journalism evolve into a global Community with ease in methods of communication and reporting.
That limited internet access and low digital literacy in many parts of Africa, restrict the dissemination of development Journalism through online platforms.
That restriction laws, intimidation and harassment in many African countries make it difficult for Journalists to report freely on governance and sensitive issues.
That media practitioners should look beyond reporting Press Releases or attending Press Conferences and pursue impactful stories that affect the challenges Communities are facing.
That the low awareness about the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), including Trachoma has put many people at risk of sight loss and that the media should promote public health practices through their respective platforms.
That Journalists should cover activities of development partners and document roles by organisations that help marginalized people and underserved communities.
That media houses should sensitize the public on issues facing people living with disabilities and use appropriate terminology in addressing them to help improve inclusion.
That Journalists need to be trained on mental health so they can report issues of mental health without stigmatization; and journalists should have access to mental health care for a wholistic psycho-social support from trauma of engaging and reporting different people, events and situations.
Applauds the AMDF Journalist of the Year Contest which aims at encouraging high quality reportage that addresses development challenges and promotes transparency, accountability and good governance in Africa.
Commends the AMDF for its consistency in organizing the conference which aptly addresses issues facing the practices of contemporary development Journalism in the continent.
That sponsors of the conference, particularly Sightsavers and the Nigerian Breweries be commended for their immense contributions to the success of the Two-Day Conference.
Communique Drafting Committee
Dickson Salami Adama
Correspondent, Daily Trust Newspapers
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Nicholas Dekera
Treasurer Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Kaduna State Council
