Media Practitioners have been encouraged to recognize that they can make a constructive differences during times of Conflict without necessarily compromising their roles as providers of fair, accurate and responsible reporting.
Mr. Danjuma Dawop, Chief of Part, Partner Mercy Corps Nigeria gave the charge while making presention on the topic: Do-No-Harm Context, Analysis at a two day Community initiative to promote peace conflict-sensitive reporting workshop for media practitioners holding at Pearlwort Hotel, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos State, said Journalists have a role to be human and should not be allowed to be caught up in the conflict.
Mr. Danjuma urged media practitioners to be careful about the interest they serve and be mindful of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, urged practitioners to put the needs and interest of all parties involved into considerations by making positive contributions towards peaceful management and resolution of Conflict.
While noting that another core assumptions underpinning Conflict sensitive reporting that the media practitioners must put into consideration is to have a better understanding about Conflicts and be better equipped before reporting them.
The Presenter urged the media to while facilitating peaceful management of conflict should equally strive not to promote the agenda of a particular group or advocate particular solution, appealed to the media practitioners to find ways in telling Conflict sensitive stories in an engaging and compelling manner towards building peaceful cohesion.
He concluded by saying Conflict are usually caused by Conflict over resources, psychological needs and values, urged the media practitioners to be aware of the surface and underlying issues as well as the right tools in reporting sensitive conflict reporting.