Journalists have been urged to harness the potential of the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act when crafting investigative reports, emphasising that the legislation serves as a potent instrument for unveiling obscured stories and realities.
Ayode Longe, a knowledgeable figure from the Media Rights Agenda, MRA, based in Lagos, delivered this advice during an online lecture to a group of selected journalists in Ilorin as part of the Collaborative Media Project, CMP, organised by Albarka FM and funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
This initiative is further supported by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, WSCIJ, as part of the Collaborative Media engagement for development, inclusivity and accountability project.
The lecture, titled “From Request to Revelation: How Journalists can leverage the FOI Act to unearth hidden narratives and unveil the truth,” aimed to empower reporters with the legal framework for extracting information from official channels.
Journalists in the nation often encounter obstacles when attempting to access crucial information necessary for adequately enlightening and educating the public, particularly in the realm of governance.
Moreover, certain states like Kwara have neglected to incorporate the legislation despite court rulings that emphasise its applicability at the state level.
By providing examples of crafting FOI requests, Longe guided journalists through the intricacies of the law, elucidating its broad scope in obtaining records, data, and information essential for crafting stories.
“It also shields the journalist and their platform from unnecessary legal disputes,” he remarked.
Longe also acknowledged that the reluctance of some state governors to implement the FOI law has impeded the progress of freedom of information.
