WikkiTimes and its two partners – North-Eastern University, Gombe, and Tiger Eye Foundation, Ghana – have recently convened a conference that aimed at pushing for robust journalism to address societal challenges in northern Nigeria.
Media Scholars and practitioners have, at the conference, identified Investigative Journalism as a tool that can be leveraged on to address the myriads of challenges facing Northern Nigeria such as corruption, and insecurity among others.
The International Conference on Trends in Investigative Journalism in the North drew participation from erudite media scholars and renowned journalists who acknowledged investigative journalism’s crucial role in bringing societal change by holding people in power accountable.
Astute media scholar and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Professor Umaru Pate in his lead presentation emphasized that investigative journalism could salvage the country from the grip of corruption.
According to him, corruption has not only deepened poverty in Nigeria but also led to widespread disillusionment among citizens, with many losing hopes in their government.
“People have lost faith in their government because of the massive looting by those in power. If you know the amount of money being embezzled and taken outside the country, you will wonder if Nigeria can survive in the near future,” he remarked.
Prof. Pate linked the myriads of challenges facing the region to corruption taking place in all the sectors of human endeavor, noting that even journalism has its own share of corruption in the form of brown envelopes amongst others.
He pointed out that in places with security challenges in the north, corruption is deeply entrenched and linked to organized crimes, making the fight against it dangerous. “They are ready to kill and unleash mayhem to get their way,” he warned.
Professor Pate noted that Investigative journalism is not for the fainthearted. According to him, journalists must be ready for setbacks, threats, and sacrifices that come with exposing corruption.
He, however, said despite these challenges, investigative journalism remains a powerful tool in holding power accountable, citing WikkiTimes’ efforts in holding power accountable as a good example for others to follow.
The media guru added that there is a need for quality over quantity in journalism, advocating for well-researched and compelling reports rather than a flood of shallow stories. He also stressed the need for media managers to prioritize the safety and welfare of their journalists.
“Journalists need protection, increased funding, and a strong support system to ensure their work thrives in difficult environments,” he asserted.
Passion Over Background: Says Ghanaian Journalist
Celebrated Ghanaian investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, shared his experience on the frontline of journalism, maintaining that investigative reporting is not about one’s background but about having the passion to bring change in society.
“Coming from a downtrodden community gives you a firsthand experience of people’s struggles and a deeper commitment to uncovering the truth,” he said.
Anas, who is well celebrated for exposing corrupt officials leading to their prosecution, tasked journalists to always have strong evidence in their reportage. This, he said, stands as a tool to defend oneself in the event of a lawsuit apart from adding credibility to one’s story.
“Journalists must always have solid proof to back their claims, especially in cases where lawsuits may arise,” he advised.
Just like Pate, Anas emphasised the importance of sacrifice on the part of the journalist who ventured into investigations, calling on them to be ready to face the pains and gains associated with it.
“WikkiTimes and its staff have tasted the bitter part of the job. In Ghana, we have established a hub where journalists targeted for doing their work can find solace. We host them and make them ready for the job ahead. That’s the nature of our work, many people are not happy with what we are doing”, he said.
A major concern raised at the conference was the increasing legal threats faced by investigative journalists.
Legal expert, Idris Safiyanu Gambo Esq., emphasized the need for strong legal teams within media organizations to review investigative reports before publication.
Barrister SG said as the legal representative of WikkiTimes, he has been threatened in some instances but noted that as someone who has a passion for change and purposeful leadership, nothing deters him from standing up for the truth.
“Journalists should not be deterred by those trying to silence them. However, they must ensure their stories are legally sound to withstand litigation,” he said.
