By Josephine Uzorh
The Nigerian media have been pressed to intensify the reportage of issues concerning internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in the country.
The recommendation was made in a report titled “Muffled Voices”, a two-month survey of media reports in six newspapers and two online platforms in Nigeria.
The report revealed the need for the Nigerian media to amplify its investigative and accountability reporting on IDPs.
Journalists for Christ (JFC) International Outreach embarked on the project, with support from World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), Bread for the World and Waldensian Church’s Otto Per Mille (OPM).
President of JFC, Lekan Otufodunrin at the presentation said Nigerian journalists can become the voice of the IDPs through proper coverage of issues surrounding displaced persons, which would create awareness for IDPs.
“The media can become the voice of the IDPs by ensuring the several issues they are facing are well reported in order to make government and members of the public address their plights,” he said.
He also pushed for the training of journalists by media organisations, to enable proper coverage of IDP issues, in order to provide the government and law makers with verified information that would aid in solving the issues.
