 |
| Fidelis David |
By Kehinde Ogunkorode
Aspiring journalists have been urged to prioritise investigative reporting and ethical opinion writing as essential tools for promoting accountability, tackling misinformation and strengthening democratic governance.
The Ondo State Correspondent of THISDAY Newspaper, Fidelis David, gave the charge while speaking at a training organised by the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko chapter.
The programme, themed “The Nitty-Gritty of Journalism: Skills, Ethics and Community Impact,” featured a lecture titled “Investigative and Opinion Writing: Digging Beyond the Surface.”
Addressing participants, David stressed the growing importance of credible journalism in an era dominated by social media, artificial intelligence and the rapid spread of unverified information.
He noted that while digital platforms have accelerated the dissemination of information, they have also increased the prevalence of rumours and false narratives, making the role of professional journalists more critical.
According to him, investigative journalism remains one of the most impactful forms of reporting because it goes beyond routine news coverage to uncover concealed facts, expose wrongdoing and hold public officials and institutions accountable.
He said effective investigations seek to establish the reasons behind events, identify beneficiaries, determine responsibility and reveal information deliberately withheld from the public.
To illustrate the impact of investigative journalism, David cited the 1999 report that exposed former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, for certificate forgery, as well as a 2023 undercover investigation by Daily Nigerian that uncovered a certificate racketeering network in the Benin Republic.
He said such reports demonstrated journalism's capacity to influence public discourse, drive reforms and compel public office holders to account for their actions.
The journalist advised campus reporters to develop an investigative mindset by cultivating curiosity and questioning official narratives rather than merely reporting events.
He urged them to verify claims thoroughly, maintain credibility and remain committed to serving the public interest.
David also encouraged aspiring journalists to acquire digital skills such as fact-checking, online verification, open-source intelligence and data journalism to remain relevant in the evolving media landscape.
Despite challenges such as legal intimidation, harassment and inadequate funding, he maintained that ethical and investigative journalism remains indispensable to democratic development and public trust.
Speaking on opinion writing, he emphasised that commentaries should be fact-based and supported by evidence rather than emotions or personal biases.
Earlier, the President of NUCJ, AAUA Chapter, Amadu Eniola, said the training was designed to enhance the capacity of campus journalists and equip them with the skills required for successful careers in the media industry.
The union's patron, Dr Raphael Abimbola, also encouraged participants to uphold professionalism and embrace continuous learning.
Other speakers at the event included Dupe Balogun of Adekunle Ajasin University and Eniola Olurankise, Head of Reportorial and Deputy Head of News at Crest FM, Akure.
0 Comments