The Taraba State House of Assembly has flagged off a two-day capacity-building workshop for journalists covering legislative proceedings in the state.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with SHA-ED Global Concept, aims to enhance “Effective Parliamentary Reporting for Accountability and Good Governance” by exposing journalists to modern techniques in parliamentary reporting.
Declaring the workshop open, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, John Kizito Bonzena, represented by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mike Dio Jen, described the press as a crucial ally of society, given its vital role in shaping public opinion.
He commended the initiative of the workshop organizers, noting the rising prevalence of fake news, misinformation, and rumor-mongering in today’s media landscape.
He expressed optimism that, at the end of the two-day knowledge-sharing event, there would be a noticeable improvement in the accuracy and effectiveness of media coverage, particularly in legislative affairs.
In her welcome address, the Clerk of the House, Salmuna Amos Sani, described the workshop as timely and necessary, emphasizing its role in equipping participants with the latest techniques to improve efficiency and accuracy in parliamentary reporting.
She urged attendees to actively engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained to enhance the dissemination of legislative activities to the public.
Speaking on behalf of the lead consultant, SHA-ED Integrated Global Concept, Jeremiah John, who was represented by Josiah Kente, Special Adviser to the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, explained that the workshop was conceived out of the necessity for accurate, fair, and timely reporting.
Delivering a keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Professor Umar Pate, highlighted the ongoing evolution in the media landscape due to technological advancements, underscoring the need for continuous training.
Professor Pate emphasized that journalists play a critical role in reducing uncertainty by providing accurate and timely information.
He stressed the importance of understanding power, politics, policies, and platforms, encouraging legislators to develop skills in public communication, resource management, and feedback monitoring.
He further noted that digital platforms have become a dominant force in information dissemination, making it imperative for journalists to master these tools to remain relevant in the industry.
Addressing challenges in conventional media, he identified funding, technology, content quality, credibility, safety, and press freedom as key concerns.
He also advised legislators to allocate budgets for training media personnel when procuring digital equipment for media houses.
Other presenters at the workshop included former Clerk of the House, Mella Orgy, who delivered a paper on “Understanding Parliamentary Procedures and Technology”; Chief of Staff, Government House Administration, Jeji Williams, who spoke on “Principles of Accurate and Balanced Parliamentary Reporting”; and former Commissioner of Information and Re-Orientation, Danjuma Adamu, who presented a paper on “Ethical Considerations in Parliamentary Reporting.”
The event was well attended by House members, legislative staff, and media practitioners.
(News Pointer)
