JHR urges journalists to promote human rights

Journalists have been urged to use their platforms to promote human rights, democratic reform and climate action while tackling misinformation in their communities.

The call was made on Monday when a team from Journalists for Human Rights, a Canadian media development organisation, visited PUNCH Place, Magboro, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

The JHR team comprised its Board Chairman, Michael Cooke; Country Representative, Fidelis Mbah; and JHR Ambassador, Murdoch Davis.

Speaking during the visit, Davis described journalism as a crucial tool for advancing human rights.

He urged journalists to consistently spotlight human rights issues and promote causes including democratic reform and climate action.

Davis emphasised the symbiotic relationship between journalism and human rights, noting that journalists had a duty to uphold social responsibility.

He said, “Human rights reporting is important. Journalism is a crucial tool to promote human rights. Report on human rights, democratic reform, climate action, and combat misinformation issues in communities.

On human rights reporting, Davis stressed the importance of human-angle stories.

“Some stories are boring. You need people to feel your story, so let them be human-angle stories.”

He praised Nigerian journalism, describing its standard as high.

“Your work is not substandard,” Davis said.

Cooke, who spoke on the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence tools in journalism, said the extent of AI adoption over the next five years was difficult to predict as the technology continued to improve.

He noted that AI could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of journalism in areas including speed, editing and writing.

Cooke said, “What AI will be able to do, in terms of exactitude, in five years can’t be predicted. We can’t afford to have a lax attitude to embracing the change that comes with AI.

AI continues to improve. AI improves writing and helps with faster editing. You can’t predict how much AI can do in the future.

“Journalists must, in the use of AI, begin to think like marketers, technologists, creatives.”

The JHR team was received by members of the PUNCH team, including the Acting Editor, The PUNCH, Tana Aiyejina; Deputy Editor, PUNCH Digital, Moshood Yusuf; Manager, Corporate Services, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Temitope Olusesan-Biala; Metro Editor, Joel Nwokeoma; and Head, Digital Advertising, Mary Stanley-Ubani.

Speaking, Nwokeoma expressed the keenness of PUNCH Nigeria Limited to collaborate with the JHR team, after which he led the visitors on a tour of The PUNCH Place.