An international non-governmental organisation with offices in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, Adamawa and Portharcourt has planned a 3-day training for journalists on conflict/sensitive reporting within the framework of freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria.
In an invite signed for the organization, ‘Search for Common Ground’, by Senior Media Officer (PP- FoRB), Katlong Dasat, it explained that 30 journalists from various media houses identified through channel mapping assessment across Nigeria will be at the training scheduled to hold in the first week of October at Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Search further explained that it uses innovative approaches in fostering understanding and peace across ethnic, religious and gender lines in areas of tension.
It described the media as valued stakeholder in its ongoing efforts to promote peace building and religious acceptance in Nigeria, which it said started since 2004.
“Search understands the immense power that media holds, and believes that with the right knowledge and training, journalists can play a vital role in promoting tolerance, respect, and understanding”.
The group also stated that in line with its mission, it is currently implementing a project aimed at promoting and protecting freedom of religion and belief (PP-FORB), and addressing potential conflict issues related to religious tolerance and tensions in Nigeria.
“Over 36 months, our goal is to empower actors to prevent and address conflicts along religious lines, establish effective Early Warning/Early Response (EWER) and referral mechanisms for addressing FORB violations and violence, strengthen support mechanisms for individuals at risk of FORB violations, and enhance public understanding of interfaith conflict and the importance of religious freedom”.
