Amnesty Int’l Trains South-East Journalists on Human Rights, Gender-Sensitive Reporting

By Ugonne Obianaku, Owerri

Amnesty International; a global, independent organization that campaigns to protect human rights and promote those enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop for journalists from the five South-East States, including Delta State.

The training, held at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Enugu, is part of Amnesty International’s nationwide initiative to promote Human Rights-Centered Journalism and build a network of reporters dedicated to advancing justice, accountability, and dignity through responsible media practice.

Speaking at the event, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Media and Communications Officer, Michael Christian, said the training was designed to equip journalists with the tools to tell stories through a human rights lens while protecting victims’ dignity.

“Too often, we see news reports that name victims—especially minors—while shielding perpetrators. Our goal is to reverse that culture: protect victims, name and shame perpetrators, and make humanity the core of every report,” he said.

Christian noted that the training covered five thematic areas—safety and security, gender sensitivity, press freedom, ethics, and legal protection—and is part of a broader effort to create a national database of trained journalists to foster collaboration and continuous engagement.

“We’ve taken this training to the South-West, North-Central, South-South, and now the South-East. The idea is to build a community of journalists who will stand for truth, promote human rights, and hold the powerful accountable,” he added.

He also decried poor welfare conditions in the media industry, describing them as a major factor encouraging unethical practices. “Many journalists are hired without pay, only given ID cards. Nigeria needs stronger labor protection laws to ensure journalists are fairly compensated,” he said.

One of the facilitators, Professor Chijioke Agbo of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, who took the participants on Press Freedom and the Law: Navigating Legal Risks in Journalism, described the Public Order Act of 1979 as “repressive and anti-democratic,” calling for its repeal. He also criticized the Cybercrimes Act for being used to silence dissenting voices, warning that democracy is under threat due to state repression and judicial decline.

Agbo reminded journalists of their duty to speak truth to power and defend public freedoms, saying: “The media informs, educates, and acts as the conscience of society. You must not allow fear or censorship to weaken that responsibility.”

Another speaker, Dr. Anne Agi, a law lecturer at the University of Calabar, spoke on “Journalism with a Gender Lens: Protecting Lives, Shaping Narratives.” She urged journalists to avoid demeaning or stigmatizing language and to ensure gender balance in sourcing and storytelling.

“The most transformative change comes when the newsroom itself models equality,” Agi said, calling on media houses to create gender pillars, support women in leadership, and establish gender-focused reporting awards.

Agi also highlighted digital safety for women journalists, advising them to build strong networks, document threats, and use protective tools. “Visibility saves lives. When threatened, your evidence and community can protect you,” she said, urging Amnesty International to set up emergency contact systems for women in the field.

Other facilitators—including Dr. Kabiru Danladi, John Omilabu, and Hajiya Zainab Okino—spoke on topics such as Applying Media Ethics in Daily Practices: From Code to Conduct, Reporting under Threat: Practical Safety Strategies for Journalists, Journalism Theory, and Practice: A Human Right Perspective.

In conclusion, Amnesty International reaffirmed its commitment to supporting journalists as defenders of human rights and agents of positive change.