JFC tasks journalists, Gov., CSOs on IDPs plight
By Stella Omona
As more Nigerians get displaced as a result of insecurity and now flood, Journalists for Christ (JFC) has called on journalists, government and the Civil Society Organizations to give attention to the issue of the Internally Displaced Person’s (IDPs) across the country as anyone can become one without planning for it.
At the presentation of “SILENT CRIES” a publication of special media report on the pains and hopes of IDPs in Nigeria at the weekend, Development communication expert, Seun Okioye enjoined journalists to be compassionate in their reportage on IDPs.
“Whatever you are doing also go into your internal account, so report from compassionate angle. The Civil Society Organizations (CSGs) should support the media by facilitating interaction, capacity building for journalists and also engage in advocacy activities.
“The ministry of Humanitarian Affairs special committees of Senate and House of Representatives, taskforce of the presidency and the National Assembly and other agencies should be more proactive and strategic in responding to the needs and welfare of IDPs within the context of providing succor to ameliorate their pains not only in giving relief materials but in addition to providing health support and education skills capacity support.
He also called on the government to collaborate with the CSOs to curtain the wide range of abuses like sexual violence and other human rights abuses.
Secretary, Nigerian UNion of Journalists {NUJ) FCT Ochiaka Ugwu who represented the Chairman harped on compassionate journalism saying; “in this life no one knows what will happen the next day.
“The IDPs never planned that one day they will be IDPs. So, it can happen to anybody and that is why whenever you are reporting the downtrodden or disadvantaged you just have to be compassionate.
“Compassionate journalism is the in-thing, report the unreported, go to the rural areas where they are voiceless and give them a voice and sense of belonging.”
