A contingent from Image Merchants Promotion Ltd (IMPR) – publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and other titles – spent a week in Ilorin, capital of Kwara, where they engaged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, and held a workshop for journalists based in the state.

“Digital Journalism, Media Ethics and Responsible Reporting” was the theme of 3-day training put together in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Penlight Centre for Investigative Journalism.

The seminar, which first took place in Abuja, expanded the capacity of pressmen on the rules of the profession in the face of the threats posed by social media, blogs and other unregulated spaces. Over 40 journalists, publishers and stakeholders deliberated and put forward observations about the industry.

The workshop discussed fake news associated with events including the 2020 EndSARS protests that almost consumed the nation. PRNigeria recently published “101 Fake News on EndSARS” written by Dahiru Lawal. The book revealed the lies and propaganda deployed during and after the rallies.

IMPR CEO, Yushau Shuaib, commended Abdulrazak for demystifying governance, adding that his performance was the reason Kwara was chosen for the second leg of the session. Speaking, the governor hailed the PR expert and his team for their determination to expose fake news through fact-checking.

“The factual, fair, timely and sometimes exclusive news from the PRNigeria makes it a very credible one and the best in Nigeria. I thought it was a government platform based on the very professional and patriotic manner you carry out news writing and reporting. I never knew it’s privately owned,” he added.

AbdulRazak called for partnership with the outlet for training staff of the state civil service and other relevant stakeholders in the state on fact-checking and awareness creation for government activities.

On Training Day 1, Shuaib spoke on digital journalism and the relatively easy media operation in recent years, unlike the traditional methods that were cumbersome and slow. He shared decades of experience with the participants, explaining how they can use social and online media to do their jobs better, without fake news and negative reporting.

Dr Saudat Saleh Abdulbaqi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, talked about “Key Issues in Media Management”. She explained the powers and agenda-setting theory of the media and counselled practitioners to be patriotic and use their influence to direct the country to the right path.

Another expert, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem lectured the participants about the ethics of journalism and responsible reportage. Using the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) standards, he harped on objectivity, fairness, balance, neutrality, respect for privacy, protection of minors and sources, editorial independence, gratification shun, among others.

While the attendees had a robust debate about the practicability or workability of some of the above ethical provisions based on their experiences and the challenges they face on the field, Abdulraheem advised them to strike a good balance between sensational coverage and public interest protection.

On Day 2, Muktar Madobi of Emergency Digest spoke on “Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and Responsible Journalism”. He cautioned against publications that could aggravate volatile situations, cause fear, tension or reprisals, in cases of communal clashes and the likes. Madobi stressed that news about disagreements and violence required journalists and media houses’ mindfulnes