The Media has been tasked to play the role of educating young people against violent extremism and terrorism.
Anicetus Atakpu, Resilience Programme and Consortium Coordinator, ActionAid Nigeria, made the disclosure during a presentation on religious ideologies and prevention of violent extremism; the role of the media, at the day two of the ongoing Media Masterclass on Preventing Violent Extremism in Kano and Kaduna States with the theme: Creating Enabling Environment and Shaping Peace Through Conflict Sensitive Reportage.
The Masterclass is organized by ActionAid with funding by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), holden at Goshen Hotel Keffi, Nasarawa State for media practitioners from the selected states.
Mr. Anicetus urged the media to purge itself by remaining neutral in their reporting, said while conflict is a part of a people’s normal life, said media biases causes of violent extremism rather than serving as solution.
Mr. Anicetus tasked journalists to play the role of a teacher through his or her reportage in preventing violent extremism.
He charged the media to be independent, show mutual respect and be factual in their reporting with counter narratives.
While the media he added should be objective and embrace conflict sensitive reportage, urged them to revalidate sources and avoid where necessary biases.