Tasks practitioners on evidence-based, data reporting
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), with support from the International Budget Partnership (IBP), has begun a two-day training for journalists selected for its fellowship.
The second edition of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK) project, which started, yesterday, is for 20 senior journalists from five states.
SPARK 2 Fellowship focuses on health and agriculture interventions.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan, said “investigative journalism exposes wrongdoings and corruption as well as digs and uncovers scandals” in the society in public interest.
Noting that data and research were very important in investigative journalism, he urged journalists to embrace data, research and evidence in their reportage.
IBP Country Director, Dr Olayinka Babalola, remarked “journalists are the conscience of the nation,” adding that their reports could engender change in the society.
Programme Coordinator of Small-scale Women Farmers’ Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Ogechi Okebugwu, urged journalists to give more support to plights of women farmers.
Oluwaseun Durojaiye took the journalists on ‘Solution Journalism’, while Hassan Taiwo focused on ‘Writing for Impact’.
Earlier, the Programme Officer of ICIR, Ayisat Abiona, said the programme is to build the capacity of journalists on investigative and impactful reporting that could hold people in government accountable.
