Journalists and media persons have been advised to be holistic in their reportage of migration news in manner that would help in national development.
They are also advised to adopt data based approach to reporting and avoid bias on migration issues.
Professor Anthony Kanu of the Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra state, gave this advice at a two-day capacity building workshop for media agencies on migration reportage in Abuja.
In the same vein, the National Coordinator, Civil Society Network on Migration and Development, Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Obiezu, suggested that media orgnisations should have migration desks to handle issues related to migration.
Obiezu said that media professionals should appropriately and effectively play their role of enlightening the public on issues of migration, making good use of training and training materials made available by relevant stakeholders.
He added that the training was aimed at engaging media professionals on proper reportage, enhanced media reporting on migration, and contributing to efficient and effective migration governance in the country.
According to him, the capacity building workshop will also assist media practitioners to cover migration with more accuracy and humanity.
“It will also build the capacity of media practitioners on the provision of National Migration Policy, its coordination and implementation.
“It will equally increase their knowledge in basic migration dynamics, trend and management and familiarisation with Key migration terms, Migration dynamics, trend and analysis,” he added.
Obiezu noted that the media was crucial in delivering verified information, informed opinions as well as balance an inclusive narrative.
“The media organisation contributes and shapes the public, political perception on all aspect of life which includes migration.
“In many instances such perception portrays migration as a problem rather than a multi-faceted global phenomenon with a variety of challenges and opportunities,” he said.
The capacity building workshop for media agencies on migration was funded by the European Union (EU) within the framework of the EU-IOM Initiative on Migration Governance and Reintegration.
