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The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), has urged media practitioners to take an active role in dismantling the pervasive network of human trafficking.
Ojukwu made the appeal on Wednesday while speaking at a capacity-building workshop in Keffi, Nasarawa State, where he stated that the media’s power to frame narratives can either perpetuate harmful stereotypes or promote empathy and understanding.
The two-day training, organised by the NHRC in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, focused on a human rights-based approach to migration, as well as the prevention of human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.
The training aims to equip media professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to report on these issues ethically, accurately, and sensitively.
Ojukwu, speaking further, emphasised the media’s crucial responsibility in shaping public discourse and influencing policy on human rights and migration.
He said, “The media, as a key influencer of public opinion and awareness, plays a crucial role in framing narratives and policy discourses that affect public actions, thoughts, policymaker priorities, and migrant decisions.
“The media disseminates information while highlighting the challenges, aspirations, and vulnerabilities of migrants, fostering a deeper understanding of migration drivers. This influences public perception and the design of programmes and initiatives by policymakers. Media voices are essential in shaping opinions and exposing human rights violations impacting migrants.
“Today, we gather at a critical juncture in the fight against exploitation and abuse, and as journalists, you hold the power to shape public discourse, amplify the voices of victims, and bring perpetrators to account.
“Your reporting can shape public perception, influence policymaker priorities, and ultimately impact the lives of migrants.”
He urged media practitioners to adopt a solutions-oriented approach in their storytelling, one that challenges xenophobic narratives and advocates for the rights and dignity of migrants.
He expressed confidence that the training would enhance participants’ understanding of trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, and the human rights-based approach to migration, leading to improved coverage of these critical issues.
He stressed that human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent, adding that the protection of these rights must be at the forefront of all migration-related discourse.
The United Nations, through its PROMIS project, partnered with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with the support of the Netherlands, to enhance the rights of migrants.
In her opening remarks, a Senior Human Rights Adviser from the Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu, stressed the importance of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing policymaking on migration.
She noted that accurate, ethical journalism is more important than ever in an age where misinformation and stigmatisation can easily distort public perception.
She explained that participants of the two-day workshop would engage in sessions covering migration terminology, gender-sensitive reporting, ethical photojournalism, and how to report on vulnerable sources of information.
She added that the purpose of this is to foster fact-based journalism that integrates a human rights-based approach, ultimately contributing to more comprehensive and informed reporting on migration.
According to her, the project underscores the need for independent, ethical journalism in Nigeria, particularly as it pertains to complex issues like migration.
Kufuor-Owusu noted that the OHCHR and the broader UN system are committed to supporting journalists in this endeavour, providing resources and guidance to help them improve coverage and news content related to migration.
She said, “As the workshop progresses, it is hoped that the media will continue to uphold the values of trust, truth, and integrity, and apply these principles to their reporting on migrants, ensuring that their stories are told with respect and fairness they deserve.”
