By Stanley Okehie
Amnesty International Nigeria has organized a two-day training for journalists on human rights reporting, with the theme “Strengthening Human Rights Reporting in the Southeast.”
The training, which was held in Enugu State drew participants from across the Southeast region and Delta State.
Delivering a lecture on “Press Freedom and the Law: Navigating Legal Risks in Journalism,” Professor of Law, Chijioke Agbo, noted that the Nigerian Constitution empowers journalists to speak truth to power, emphasizing that dissenting opinions should be respected in any democratic society.
He stressed that the essence of governance lies in the fundamental commitment to the security and welfare of the people, as enshrined in Section 14, Subsection 2, Paragraph (e) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Professor Agbo also cited Chapter 4 of the Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights such as the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of religion, association, and peaceful assembly, among others.
He expressed concern over what he described as the growing passivity and complacency of the press in reporting human rights issues, and cautioned that history would judge journalists who fail to speak out when necessary.
Dr. Anne Agi, in her presentation titled “Journalism with a Gender Lens: Protecting Rights, Shaping Narratives,” explained that journalism is not merely about avoiding harm, but about fostering fairer and more inclusive narratives.
She urged journalists to become active agents of change by not only reporting events but also shaping narratives that either reinforce or dismantle inequality.
Other facilitators, including Dr. Kabiru Danladi, John Omilabu, Hajia Zainab Okino, and Mustapha Mohammed, emphasized that reporting on human rights violations often requires moral courage to highlight injustices and demand accountability. They urged journalists to balance objectivity with advocacy in their reportage.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, represented by the organization’s Social Media and Communication Officer, Michael Christian, said the training was designed to equip media professionals with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to advance human rights through ethical and impactful storytelling.
Participants, including a team of journalists from Imo State, highlighted the challenges of covering human rights issues and expressed appreciation to Amnesty International Nigeria for its sustained efforts in promoting justice and defending human dignity.
