WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based online media outlet has organized a one-day training for 15 journalists in Gombe State on Data, Investigative and the use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Methods of investigation to unravel corruption and hold power to account.
The training which took place at Vision FM, Gombe, has in attendance various participants from print, broadcast and online-based newspapers.
During the event, the participants were exposed to the basic elements of investigative and data journalism as well as the use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) in uncovering corruptions and holding to account.
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The Founder and Publisher of WikkiTimes Haruna Mohammed Salisu, during the training, disclosed that the training is a continuation of capacity building the platform is offering to newsrooms to strengthen adversarial journalism.
He urged the participants to cultivate the habit of investigative journalism to unearth big corruption, particularly in underserved communities.
“It’s our duty and responsibilities as journalists to cover local communities and underserved people and hold power to account at local levels.
“The essence of the training is to deepen grassroots accountability reporting by local news outlets who understand local issues.
“When we pay attention to local issues, we stand a better chance to unleash development across the length and breadth of Nigeria”, Haruna said.
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Bilya Yaro, one of the participants, commended WikkiTimes for the series of training it is carrying out in the North-East, which according to him, will help build the capacity of local journalists to serve the voice of the voiceless.
Yaro said he learned important tools that will facilitate accountability stories “, especially on Data journalism, I learnt many things that I did not know before”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the General Manager of Vision FM Gombe, Alhassan Yaya described the training as timely.
“This training is indeed very timely, particularly as we approach the 2023 general elections. “When journalists are well trained, they will be able to professionally report and make a meaningful impact”, he said.
Yaya commended WikkiTimes and its funders for organising the training, adding; it will help boost the capacity of journalists in the northeast.
