Environment newspaper, NatureNews, certified for media integrity

The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) has certified a frontline environment newspaper, NatureNews, making history as the first news media in Nigeria for the honour. The certification, announced at the weekend, is sequel to the newspaper’s excellent performance on a score of JTI parameters. The JTI is an ISO-Standard International Organisation –  designed to provide a […]

The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) has certified a frontline environment newspaper, NatureNews, making history as the first news media in Nigeria for the honour.

The certification, announced at the weekend, is sequel to the newspaper’s excellent performance on a score of JTI parameters.

The JTI is an ISO-Standard International Organisation –  designed to provide a transparent mechanism for curbing misinformation and providing tangible rewards for ethical and professional journalism.

A statement on Monday said the JTI standards were developed by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres, RSF) in partnership with 130 experts and organisations representing journalists, editors, technology and advertising industries.

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The statement said that over 400 media outlets from over 70 countries are currently participating in the JTI programme, with NatureNews blazing a historic trail as the first media establishment in Nigeria to be JTI certified.

In a letter conveying the certification, Mr. Macoumba Ndour said: “Nature News has been independently certified according to the JTI and CEN Workshop Agreement No. 17493.2019.

“The certificate covers the media production, media business management, production quality, and information reliability of the news brand,” Ndour said.

The JTI recognition comes few weeks after NatureNews was rated top 10 in a survey of over 2,500 nature publications in the world.

Reacting to the certification, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews, Mr. Aliu Akoshile, said he was excited by the successful audit after working so hard for it.

“The JTI certification is a culmination of rigorous online evaluation and scrupulous onsite verification of our journalism processes based on performance indicators administered by the International Risks and Quality (IRISQ).

“Coming barely two months to the fourth anniversary of NatureNews, the certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to journalism ethics, managerial excellence, professional integrity, accountability, and corporate governance,” Akoshile said.

He also expressed appreciation to the newspaper’s Advisory Board, which is composed of distinguished personalities from across Africa, as he reiterated their invaluable insights and tremendous support to the young newspaper.

While dedicating the recognition to the newspaper’s staff whose dedication and diligence earned the certification, he said, “Even as we celebrate this achievement, we are not under any illusion that our work is done. We will continue to innovate and deepen our professional excellence to meet the needs of our audiences for credible journalism and stay on top of the dynamic environmental challenges facing our continent and humanity.”

Launched on 1st October, 2020 NatureNews is an independent online newspaper that is based in Abuja, Nigeria.