Reporters with WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based pro-north accountability and data journalism newspaper were trained on how to strike gender balance in their reportage.
The in-house training session themed ‘Gender Mainstreaming in the Media was held virtually yesterday and was facilitated by Victoria Bamas, the editor of The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (TheICIR).
In her presentation, Bamas said it is high time media organisations and reporters pay attention to women and give them equal opportunities.
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Highlighting the importance of the involvement of women in media organizations, Bamas said having gender-balance reports attract the attention of donor agencies.
According to her, gender mainstreaming is rooted in the principles of equity and social justice. She said by incorporating a gender perspective in news reporting, a newsroom can actively contribute to breaking down gender-based barriers and promoting rights and opportunities to all individuals thus addressing systemic gender inequalities and promoting a more inclusive and fair society.
“Societal norms and attitudes towards gender are constantly evolving,” Bamas stated. “By engaging in gender mainstreaming, newsrooms can stay attuned to these changes and adapt their reporting accordingly. This helps news organisations remain relevant, responsive, and proactive in reflecting and shaping the discourse around gender-related issues.”
“Gender mainstreaming helps newsrooms better understand and respond to the needs and interests of their audience. By considering the gender dimension in news coverage, media organisations can provide content that resonates with their readers or viewers, reflecting their concerns and experiences. This strengthens the relationship between the media and the public, leading to increased audience satisfaction and loyalty,” she added.
On his part, Haruna Muhammed Salisu, the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WikkiTimes, said as an accountability platform, his newspaper has considered gender balance in all its activities including recruitment of staff and interns. He cited an example with the recent recruitment of interns under the Professor Umaru Pate Accountability Reporting Fellowship where two out of the three fellows are females.
He argued that women are key actors in societal development, hence the need for them to be actively involved in all aspects of human endeavour.
