The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in collaboration with the Daily Trust Foundation, on Wednesday, organised a one-day Policy Roundtable on Media and Peacebuilding in Nigeria with a view to strengthening the capacity of journalists in peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Daily Trust reports that stakeholders at the one-day policy roundtable included veteran journalists and editors, representatives of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, the Plateau State Peace Building Agency as well as field journalists and other stakeholders from Kaduna, Plateau and the FCT.
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Speaking at the event, the Country Manager, USIP, Ambassador Zango Abdu, said because peace is at the bedrock of sustainable development, it is hoped that the engagement will lead to positive strides, adding that the media has a crucial role to play in addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria.
On his part, former Chief Executive Officer, Media Trust Limited and member of the board of Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Mannir Dan-Ali, stressed the need for the media to play its role in peace building by being factual in its reportage, adding that to live in peace is better than being a prince.
He called on journalists to stick to the ethics of the profession and avoid sensational reportage that will endanger the country’s collective peace.
Speaking on behalf of the Kaduna State government, the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, said “It is unfortunate that the media has elevated the views and opinions of groups who have become a danger to our collective peace in the society.
“The danger is that if you blur the line between journalism and blogging, we will have more problems.”
