Journalists urged to focus on devt reporting

The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) has enjoined journalists to report development issues in order to improve lives of the people and effect change.

Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Moji Makanjuola gave the advice during the training workshop on reporting trending and development journalism, organised by the society in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at Keffi, Nassarawa State. She said journalists must position themselves to embrace and broker change, wherever necessary to engender development.

While commending UNFPA for encouraging media participation in development work, she said no true development could take place without partnership with the media.

Media associate at UNFPA Nigeria Office, Kori Habib urged journalists to write family planning stories with focus on the health of the woman and empathy with her situation.

A resource person at the workshop and media specialist, Iliya Kure  said development journalism, which deals with improvement of the life of the people was still not common in Nigeria, adding that the implication was that ordinary citizens would be absolutely left out of news.