Experts task media practitioners on data journalism
By Stephen Adeleye
Some media experts have urged journalists to embrace data journalism to enhance citizens access to the right information.
The experts gave the task at a day workshop organised for journalists on “Data Journalism and Media Standards,” on Saturday in Lokoja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by Stallion Times Media Services with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, and funded by MacArthur Foundation.
Mr Charles Mbah, a journalisr and Data Analyst, who is a Facilitator at the workshop, said data journalism would help to reduce the skill of misinformation and disinformation.
He added that data journalism, which represented facts, would help citizens to get the right information that they could use to hold government accountable.
Mbah enjoined journalists to be intentional about using data journalism to drive their profession whether in broadcast or investigative journalism, among others.
“Journalists should be intentional about data journalism; though it could be time consuming.
“They should make it a gradual process, because it is very important as we are in the age of misinformation and disinformation,” Mbah said.
On his part, Mr Isiyaku Ahmed, the Project Coordinator of Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve Project (GDRIP), said data journalism present information in a visual form, making it easier for people to understand.
Ahmed, who doubles as the Editor-In-Chief of Stallion Times, stressed the need for journalists to maintain “Media Standards” in carrying out their duties.
“The workshop is just to remind ourselves of what are those standards that we practice as professional media that make us to stand out as journalists.
“The media standards are enshrined in the Press Freedom and Code of Ethics for any practicing journalist,” he said.
Ahmed therefore enjoined journalists not to restrict themselves only to the Code of Ethics in journalism, but they should also make use of the instrument of press freedom.
According to him, journalists should know the roles their organisations want them to play as well as seeing the obligation they have for the community, and put them side by side their constitutional role, which is holding government accountable. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
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