A two-day workshop for Media Executives on how to avoid Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, SLAPP threats and remain ethical, was held last week in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The thorough, brainstorming event galvanised the best in the Industry, as its engaging sessions sensitized Media Executives, Senior Editors and Publishers of all the Major Media Houses in Nigeria to the reality and danger of SLAPP threats and ethical landmines.
The sessions began last Wednesday with inspiring opening remarks by Malam Kabir Yusuf, Chairman Board of International Press Institute Nigeria and Chieftain of Media Trust Group.
While commending the efforts of IPI Nigeria under the leadership of Musikilu Mojeed, he urged participants to pay attention to ethical issues. He averred that while good journalism is necessary, it faces a lot of challenges. Yusuf urged journalists to be thorough, balanced and ethical.
The IPI Nigeria Board Chairman admonished practitioners to be fair, balanced and avoid blackmail.
Musikilu Mojeed, editor-in-chief, Premium Times, President IPI Nigeria, while welcoming participants called on journalist to beware of SLAPP suits as much as possible because they are injurious to media business and could cause major distractions.
As the training commenced proper, it became evident to participants that Governments, Politicians, influential stakeholders , the rich and mighty often use these SLAPP lawsuits to undermine good journalism.
While delivering his paper Mr. Mojeed said: “Governments usually do not like critical media.They like media that act as their PR tools or megaphones. But they dislike media that hold them to account or exposes their misdeeds. They are consistently looking for excuses to crush you. Don’t give them the ammunition to crush you.
He warned that “any Government can set traps for you or check through your records to detect violations”
The very lively and interactive workshop was organised by International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) with support from MacArthur Foundation and Primorg. Addressing the participants, Dr Kole Shettima,Africa Director MacArthur Foundation expressed his delight to witness the presence of Media Chiefs despite their busy schedules and the trending Election Petition Judgement in progress.
He also identified the various areas MacArthur Foundation has be engaged with in the Country over the years, especially anti-corruption campaigns and support for Independent Media among others.
Addressing the journalists on the issue of censorship, Mallam Garba Shehu, immediate past Senior Special Assistant to Former President, Muhammadu Buhari on Media and publicity recalled that the Buhari Government did not deliberately censor any media outfit. He said Buhari simply steered clear of media related issues perhaps, given his past experience.
Maxwell Kadiri, a Civil Society Activist and Lawyer and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News, who is also the Legal Adviser, IPI Nigeria, examined the legal implications and pitfalls to avoid. Kadiri especially urged Media stakeholders to look beyond stories and seek ways of go the extra mile as Media groups to prevent SLAPP Suits. Soniyi identified defamation, plagiarism, copy right issues, contempt of Court among other legal loopholes journalists must avoid.
Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of the Baze University who addressed the audience on ethics and codes identified the various landmines to consider while handling a story. He urged writers to be fair balanced, and avoid defamation among others. He urged professionals to Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. “Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.”
“Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief..”
He identified defamation, privacy, accuracy of information, independence, copyright, the access and use of public records,third party comments and protecting sources,publication bans,conflicts of interest as ethical issues to be mindful about.
Edetaen Ojo of the Media Rights Agenda navigated through the whole gamut of options available for journalists in need of legal aid. His address titled: “Dealing with Lawsuits:Available Helps” identified some partners that could be of help, such as the Joint Civic Defence Fund,MRA Legal assistance; Legal Aid from CJID, Public Interest Law Partners, Media Defense and Pan African Lawyers Union among others.
Among the Senior Media Executives present, Danlami Nmodu of Newsdiary Online told Kukuruku Reporters that, Raheem Adedoyin, IPI Global Board member, spoke extensively on the issues of censorship, media practitioners as consultants and how ethics must be handled carefully so that integrity can be maintained.
Earlier in the event, participants paid rapt attention as David Ajikobi,Country representative of Africa Check, took them through the rudiments of fact checking.He urged journalists to endevour to verify information always.
During the interactive sessions, journalists shared experiences with ethical and legal challenges and how they manoeuvred their ways through.
