, Fisayo Soyombo has said that it is not possible for all journalists t){kind=link}
The founder of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo has said that it is not possible for all journalists to be investigate reporters.
Soyombo made this disclosure while speaking during a two-day training of journalists on evidence-based reporting on girl child education issues, organised by Onelife Initiative, held in Ibadan.
Other speakers at the training included Rotimi Olawale of YouthHub Africa and the executive Director of Onelife Initiative, Sola Fagorosi.
Soyombo while speaking said that investigative reporting is not as difficult as many people thought, however, cautioned that anyone who intends to be an investigative reporter must be determined and be ready to challenge the status quo.
He said that every journalist cannot be investigative reporter, because, there is no media house that do investigate reports everyday.
He added that an investigate reporter must be hardworking, patient, dogged, relentless, passionate and be self disciplined.
Soyombo said, “Every journalist cannot be investigative reporter. Across the world, there is no media house that do investigate reports everyday. Even in FIJ, we do not do investigate reports everyday.
“Journalists should not try to force themselves to be who they cannot be. Investigative reporting is not the only kind of journalism that is important. General news reporting is also important too. People rely on it too, they want to be informed. Entertainment reporting is important too, because people want to relax and laugh.
“I don’t know that paper in the world that publishes daily and it is only investigative content. So, journalist especially upcoming journalists have to understand that there are other things they can do, if they like it, but if they don’t, it does not make them less important journalist.
“If you did not like the status quo, then investigate reports will not be difficult. Investigative journalism is very easy, but there are some steps and rules to follow. It is a story beyond the story and behind the surface.
“Investigative journalism can be used to drive societal change, advocacy, to reverse justice and strengthens democracy. An investigate reporter must be hardworking, patient, dogged, relentless, passionate and be self disciplined. You that you are condemning corruption must not be corrupt.
Fagorosi while speaking noted that the training was organised in order to expose journalists to issues that surround girl child education.
He added that the organisation had earlier trained 10 journalists in Akwa Ibom state last week on the same topic.
“The girl child education is a big issue. Nigeria has one of the highest population of out of school girl child. Again, the issue of quality, a number of girl child in school, what is the quality of the education they are receiving.
“So, we need an evidence based approach to actually try to unveil the true state of girl child education in Nigeria with specific focus on Oyo and Akwa Ibom states”.
ENDS