Workshop Empowers Journalists to Combat Human Trafficking through Standard Reporting Guidelines

In a significant step toward enhancing the fight against human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) organized a three-day workshop and capacity development orientation on standard reporting guidelines for members of the Trafficking in Persons Media Corps and officers of the Press and Public Relations Unit. This initiative, led by the Director General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, aimed to strengthen the reportorial skills of media partners, recognizing their crucial role in combating human trafficking.

The workshop, which built upon previous initiatives held in Keffi, Nasarawa State in December 2021 and Asaba, Delta State in June 2022, was convened by NAPTIP under the project “Support to Mass Media On Awareness Campaign Against TIPSOM,” supported by the International Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP). The project is part of the broader Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM), funded by the European Union.

Representatives from various media platforms, including print, electronic, and online media, participated in the workshop. Among the participants were reporters and news gatekeepers from prominent organizations such as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Raypower FM, Daily Times Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, New Nigeria Newspaper, The Punch Newspaper, The Sun Newspaper, the New Telegraph Newspaper, Africa Independent Television (AIT), TELL Magazine, The Newsnow.org, The Will Newspaper, Blueprint Newspaper, BBC Africa, Radio Lagos, Daily Independent, Radio Nigeria (FRCN), Lagos Television (LTV), Sahara Reporters, TVC News, Journalist International Forum for Migration (JIFORM), The Nation Newspaper, and ThisDay Newspapers.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, delivered the opening remarks through Mr. Arinze Orakwue, the Director of Training and Manpower Development. She emphasized the crucial role journalists can play in countering human trafficking and urged participants to make deliberate efforts to produce high-quality content on the subject. Prof. Waziri-Azi highlighted the importance of reporting human trafficking from an informed perspective while demonstrating empathy for the victims, adhering to international ethics, and following best practices in journalism.

The workshop successfully achieved several outcomes, including the renewal of commitments from journalists to collaborate with NAPTIP and other stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking. It also enhanced the capacity of journalists to report on human trafficking crimes with a well-informed perspective and empathy for the victims, while adhering to international ethics and the best practices of the journalism profession.

One significant result of the workshop was the development of zero draft Guidelines for Journalists in Reporting Human Trafficking in Nigeria. These guidelines are expected to provide a framework for journalists to ensure accurate, sensitive, and effective reporting on human trafficking issues across the country.

Participants expressed their appreciation to the European Union and FIIAPP for supporting the workshop. They also commended the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, for her unwavering efforts in training media partners on the latest trends and developments in combating human trafficking.

This workshop marks another milestone in the collective efforts to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, fostering a stronger partnership between NAPTIP, media organizations, and journalists. By equipping journalists with standardized reporting guidelines, the workshop has paved the way for more impactful and responsible journalism in the fight against human trafficking.