The Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) has urged journalists to promote peace, responsible reporting and early conflict detection ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Project Coordinator at the centre, Samson Auta, made the call during an engagement with female journalists on early warning mechanisms in Kaduna State on Friday.
Mr Auta said the engagement highlighted women’s roles in promoting human rights, mediating disputes and strengthening community peacebuilding efforts.
He said the initiative, supported by the German Embassy in Abuja, also provided a platform for women to share experiences and address grievances.
It also facilitated the referral of abuse cases to relevant agencies for appropriate intervention.
According to him, the project promotes restorative justice, alternative dispute resolution and dialogue in safe spaces to prevent conflicts escalating into violence.
He said the initiative also employed early warning mechanisms to identify potential threats and prevent disputes from developing into violence.
Mr Auta said the media group would sustain its community support beyond the project’s lifespan, particularly in addressing human rights violations and religious freedom.
He urged community members, media professionals and civil society organisations to speak out against abuses, including rape, sodomy and gender-based violence.
He also called on stakeholders to protect vulnerable and marginalised people, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“We all share one common humanity,” he said, urging collective action to protect victims and prevent further abuses.
Some participants commended IMC for the initiative, saying it would strengthen conflict prevention and promote ethical and peace journalism.
A journalist with the Leadership newspaper, Juliet Ekwenugo, said the engagement reinforced the importance of peace journalism ahead of the elections.
Mrs Ekwenugo urged journalists to consider the potential consequences of their reports rather than concentrating solely on breaking news.
She said the training reminded her to assess whether reports could cause harm or promote unity.
She added that the lessons would help her approach election-related stories more responsibly.
Similarly, a journalist with Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Sahura Maidoki, pledged to use her radio programme to educate women and young people.
She said she would invite experts to discuss responsible reporting of sensitive issues without escalating tensions or creating hostility.
Mrs Maidoki described the engagement as timely, given the start of election campaigns, saying the knowledge acquired would improve her reporting.
She also commended the organisers for equipping journalists with additional knowledge on conflict prevention and responsible communication.