The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism in collaboration with Albarka 89.9 FM, Ganmo, Kwara state on Tuesday 13th of February, organised a one-day media roundtable on “ABC of Investigative Journalism and amplifying change for development – Using storytelling techniques” with participants drawn from media organizations and practitioners across Kwara state.
The enlightenment programme which was funded by the MacArthur Foundation was held at City-In-Hotel, G.R.A Ilorin, with media executives and journalists from conventional and new media in attendance.
The duo of Joke Kujenya media mentor and Aliyu Usman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) speaks on ABC of Investigative Journalism and amplifying change for development – Using Storytelling Techniques respectively.
In her paper delivered via Zoom, Joke charged journalists with the importance of investigative journalism in promoting good governance, transparency, accountability, and social justice.
She put the participants through tips and instruments for writing good investigative reports. She cautioned participants against defamation and libel saying they should always seek legal advice on any aspect that seems not clear in whatever report they want to embark on.
In his lecture, Aliyu Usman urged the participants to always deploy their storytelling skills to be agents of social change said “As a journalist, you have a constitutional role to play in the society by informing, educating, and raising awareness on any issues that tilt toward bettering society.
“This can be better achieved through solution journalism and storytelling techniques”.
He however put the participants through contemporary ways of storytelling and tools of solution journalism. This was as the duo of lectures encouraged participants to embrace social change and pursue human-angle stories. Participants were also given time to ask questions and make contributions