Journalists, stay alive to report the dangerous assignment
It was one death too many for a lot of media practitioners. Enenche Akogwu of Channels TV, on January 20, 2012 met death in the course of carrying out his duties in the city of Kano. He was caught in the crossfire of militant attacks on security operatives. His death brings to mind a mind-boggling […]
It was one death too many for a lot of media practitioners. Enenche Akogwu of Channels TV, on January 20, 2012 met death in the course of carrying out his duties in the city of Kano. He was caught in the crossfire of militant attacks on security operatives.
His death brings to mind a mind-boggling number of journalists who have died in active duty in the country in the past few years. A cross-section of experienced journalists have, however, offered essential nuggets of advice to younger colleagues on how to mitigate the possibility of dangers while on active service, especially for those covering delicate beats where lives and limbs are involved.
Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene is the Group Managing Director of LEADERSHIP newspapers in Abuja. He told Sunday Trust that protests and violence of the scale that is witnessed in Nigeria at the moment is a new phenomenon to the Nigerian journalist, hence many practitioners may be at a loss as to how to protect themselves when covering violent clashes. However, Mr Ishiekwene said journalists would still need to take commonsensical precautions. They include the need for the reporter to dress in such a manner that he would be identified as a journalist. Being properly kitted would distinguish a journalist from the enemies of combatants in a violent situation. Also, when there is violence, Ishiekwene advised, journalists should use their instinct to know when to advance and when not to, so that they do not find themselves on the firing line. The Group Managing Director added that media owners and editors should now begin to think about the protection of journalists covering volatile beats, because violence has become a recurring decimal in the country.
Osedebamen Isibor, a former editor of Freshfacts newspapers, Thisday newspaper and now regional manager of National Mirror who has worked for over 30 years in the media, says that it is not the intention of anyone, especially the reporter to die on active service. Death on the beat occurs, no matter how careful a journalist is, he said.
He gave some essential tips that most reporters ignore when on and off the field. ‘You must be someone who builds reliable contacts. These contacts, otherwise known as sources, can save your life at times. My family and I were once saved in a Kano riot by the help of a contact of mine who gave me prior warning that eventually saved my entire family. Also, a reporter must always secure the assistance of security operatives anytime he or she is covering any delicate assignment. When you disclose your identity, it may save you when you need help. Unnecessary risks should be avoided at all cost as this may be a step between life and death. Again, journalists should be equipped for their assignment. A digital camera with a good zooming range would be better in a delicate situation than a camera that you have to move closer to the object. Equally, a reporter must know the terrain very well. Many reporters have lost their lives simply because they did not actually know what was at stake in the area they were covering. Be conversant with everything in your terrain. Our media establishments should also make sure that all their reporters are duly insured. As a reporter always know that there is no need to be a hero. Do your job to the best of your ability and think safety first.”
Gerald Onyekachi Eze, editor, Nigerian Newsworld magazine, said that “it is a pathetic situation the way and manner most of our journalists are being killed. For one, don’t just rush into a protest or riot without informing the security operatives about your identity. That may be your saving grace. There is no shame in doing that. Don’t always go unaccompanied. Also, know areas where taking pictures could cost you your life or at best endanger you physically. Never go for an assignment that you have not been officially empowered to do by your organisation or at best inform your superior when you are working on any investigation and keep him or her abreast of developments of your movements. Keep a safe distance from crisis points. Most of all, know when to back up, especially if your life is at risk. It is only when you are alive that you can report whatever you have seen and observed.”
Chuks Ehirim, another veteran journalist, a political editor with National Accord Newspapers, agrees that no story is worth a reporter’s life. “When a reporter comes to realise this then he is in a better position to take proactive steps to secure his life in the course of his duties. Dismally though most reporters have lost sight of that salient fact. Do your best but secure your life at all cost. Make sure that you report the story, but most importantly that you do not become the story that will be reported. Avoid situations that will put your life in peril. It is not worth it. That doesn’t mean you should be fainthearted but be wise. Be knowledgeable about what is actually going on before venturing to report controversial issues. Don’t be caught in the middle. Have friends in the right places as they may be able to warn you of imminent dangers,”he says.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ-Abuja chapter, Emmanuel Ogbeche says the body is presently putting in place sensitization programmes to enlighten its members on the risks involved in the terrain and ways out.
“The sensitisation has already commenced at the local level. It will be taken over by the national body in the month of March when a stakeholder’s forum is being planned to address the situation,” Ogbeche noted.
Speaking specifically of on the death of Channels reporter Akogwu during the Boko Haram attacks in Kano, Malam Garba Shehu, a former Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Newspapers in Kano, said, “Journalism, especially when dealing with investigative reporting, is a very dangerous profession. It is even more so when you are dealing with war coverage as was the case in Kano two weeks ago. These dangers have always been associated with journalism, that whether such deaths arise from malicious attacks or being caught in the line of fire accidentally as it happened to Enenche Akogwu. That is the nature of the job and there is no running away from that. The job has got to be done. That is why some people say journalism is not for the chicken-hearted.”
Committee to Protect Journalists, an online portal says that the Nigerian journalists still remains one group of the most endangered professionals in the world. It gives an overview of reporters that have been cut down in their prime in the past few years. Zakariya Isa, of Nigeria Television Authority was killed in October 22, 2011, in Maiduguri. Sunday Gyang Bwede, of The Light Bearer was murdered on April 24, 2010, in Jos, Plateau State, Nathan S. Dabak, also of The Light Bearer was killed in April 24, 2010, in Jos, Plateau State. Bayo Ohu, of The Guardian met his untimely death on September 20, 2009, in Lagos. Samson Boyi, of The Scope died in November 5, 1999, in Adamawa State. Other reporters that have paid the supreme price are: Sam Nimfa-Jan, Details, May 27, 1999, in Kafanchan, Fidelis Ikwuebe, a Freelancer, April 18, 1999, in Anambra, Okezie Amaruben, of Newsservice September 2, 1998, in Enugu,and Tunde Oladepo, of The Guardian February 26, 1998, in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Others whose deaths and motive behind such remain unknown till date as enumerated by the committee are: Nansok Sallah, Highland FM, Edo Sule Ugbagwu, The Nation, Eiphraim Audu, Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service, Paul Aboyomi Ogundeji, ThisDay, Godwin Agbroko, ThisDay, Bolade Fasasi, National Association of Women Journalists who died in March 31, 1999, in Ibadan, Chinedu Offoaro, The Guardian and Baguda Kaltho, of TheNEWS.
Next week, we shall publish a guide on covering dangerous assignments produced by Reporters Without Border. Keep a date with this page. – Editor