The Taraba State House of Assembly has organized a two-day workshop for journalists covering legislative proceedings, aimed at enhancing their skills in modern parliamentary reporting.
The training, which took place in the assembly complex, which is located in Jalingo, the state capital, brought together media professionals from various outlets spread across the state.
The journalists were equipped with modern techniques for covering legislative activities effectively through topics such as digitalization, communication, and the legislative process in Taraba.
Others are, understanding parliamentary procedures and terminologies, principles of accurate and balanced parliamentary reporting, the use of technology in parliamentary reporting, ethical consideration in parliamentary reporting, investigative reporting on legislative processes in Nigeria, and crafting impactful stories on legislative process, among others.
In his keynote address, the vice Chancellor of the Federal University Keshere, Professor Umaru A. Pate, who noted that the information revolution and development of the Internet had given birth to a powerful and pervasive system of communication, said digitalization and general communication technologies are central to political communication and legislative process.
Arguing that fake news breeds suspicious, violence, ethno-religious tensions, and wars, the need for authorities to invest in legislative communication infrastructure.
Emphasising the importance of accurate and responsible journalism in strengthening democracy, he noted that journalists play a crucial role in informing the public about legislative activities and ensuring transparency in governance.
Also speaking, the organiser of the training, Sha-Ed Integrated, who spoke through the former speaker of the House, Dr. Josiah Sabo Kente, highlighted the need for journalists to understand legislative procedures and terminologies to provide more insightful and comprehensive reports.
He also stressed the importance of fact-checking and avoiding misinformation in parliamentary reporting.
Supporting the position of Pate and Kente, other resource persons, including Jeji Williams, Barrister Danjuma A Adamu, and the former clerk of the House, urged journalists to always tread extra legitimate miles to clarify their facts with the leadership of the House before rushing to the press.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating that the training would enhance their ability to provide more detailed and accurate coverage of legislative proceedings.
