Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
August 30, 2022.
The Borno State government in partnership with European Union (EU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has trained journalists on reintegrating 80, 000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists,
The two day training workshop; was on how to “report and sensitize” the public in the State to accept the reintegration of the repentant terrorists into the various communities in the state.
Declaring the training open, yesterday (Tuesday), in Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Information, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Garba Chibok, disclosed: “The repentant terrorists comprise 14,609 combatants, 20,055 women and 35,029 children,” stating that all of them were accommodated since 2021 at the Hajj camp, Maiduguri.
He noted that the training is inevitable, because of the roles of media in managing various conflicts to shape the society to live in peace.
“Our objectives at the training are to update the media and the working journalists on the principles and guidelines of reporting on the reintegration of victims of 13-year insurgency,” he said.
He, therefore, urged them to gain more knowledge that will play an enormous role in educating the general public on how to live in peace with the repentant terrorists.
“This is irrespective of the crimes they allegedly committed during the over a decade insurgency in the state,” he said.
In his presentation, the UNICEF representative, Anpuj Panchanan dwelled on the principles and guidelines of media reporting on children.
According to him, the media should respect the dignity and rights of every child in every circumstance.
He said that the journalists should pay attention to each child’s right to privacy and confidentiality to have their opinions heard.
“You should participate in the decisions affecting them, and to be protected from harm or retribution in conflict reporting,” he noted.
He warned against publishing stories or images that might put the children, siblings or peers at risk, even when their identities are changed, obscured or not used.
Over 25 participants attended the training workshop.
