The National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, who is the coordinating agency of migration in Nigeria, has been urged to integrate media into the technical working group of the National Migration Management architecture in the country.


The Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, Civic Society on Migration and Development, Dr Emeka Xris Obiezu made the appeal on Wednesday after a two day capacity building workshop for media agencies on migration reportage in Kano.


Dr Emeka Xris Obiezu said it is imperative to ensure that the media are fully represented as key actors at the technical working group to serve as a channel of coordinating their reportage on migration towards strengthening migration governance in Nigeria.

Having identified misappropriation of basic terminologies and other challenges of the media in reporting migration, the Executive Director said after the review and validation, the ethical guidelines generated at the workshop would guide the media towards complementing stakeholders’ efforts on immigration reporting.


He also observed that 80% of migrants in Nigeria are internal, yet journalists pay little or no attention to internal migrants’ related stories.

He however noted that the workshop, which centered on the role of the media in migration, will go a long way in changing the narrative.


Dr Obiezu therefore advised the media practitioners to inculcate the habit of writing stories that highlight both positive and negative sides of migration stories.


A Communication Consultant, who doubles as a facilitator at the workshop, Prof Ikechukwu Anthony Kalu said there are number of migrants who are making their countries and continent proud through their innovations and news worthy contributions to national development, noting that such stories should also be given priority attention by the media to ensure balance reports.


The University Don observed that due to lack of required skills and knowledge, most of migration reports lack accuracy and humanity. He however urged journalists to stop being emotional by strictly adhering to the required national and international guidelines and principles of reporting immigration related matters.


http://factualtimesng.com/integrate-media-into-national-migration-management-ngo-urges-fg/

Media under reports everything....seems that's what they are taught..... to make issues look less serious especially casualties.

only