The Media Advocate for Journalists Initiative, MAJI, has advised practicing reporters to seek out research based institutions while sourcing verifiable environmental data for their reports, to reduce the challenges associated with accessing accurate information.
The Environment and Conservation Officer of MAJI, Mr Ikechukwu Ohaka gave the advice in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital during a Media training on “Harnessing Environmental Data For Reporting in the Niger Delta.”
Ohaka observed that classification of simple environmental documents and bureaucracies in some government agencies has greatly affected journalists in effective data gathering, urging them to leverage research based institutions or organizations to write compelling environmental stories and hold the government accountable.
He observed the widening gap between scientific environmental data and public understanding, saying such has continued to weaken citizens’ engagement and policy response to environmental issues across the Niger Delta region.
Ohaka harped on the need for journalists to be equipped with requisite skills on environmental data gathering, analysis for public awareness or environmental consciousness on the level of hazards as well as formulation of government policies and regulations.
“Environmental stories should be driven by identified data insights that will promote participatory citizens’ action in a constructive manner.
“Journalists face a lot of challenges in using environmental data, including limited access to reliable data and government restrictions on data. To mitigate this, they should partner with Research Institutions and Open Source Data platforms,” he advised.
Participants were also introduced to practical tools for data collection, including sensor-based monitoring, field sampling, low-cost IoT devices, satellite imagery, and mobile data applications in the course of their work.
Speaking on “Effective Advocacy Using Environmental Data,” Dr Prince Eze, noted that effective advocacy must be anchored on credible and verifiable data even as he admitted that weak data systems often lead to poor policy decisions.
He urged journalists to adopt a more strategic, evidence-based approach in engaging stakeholders and shaping public discourse.
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