BudgIT, Oxfam task Nigerian journalists with data-driven stories
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Civil society groups, BudgIT and Oxfam have tasked media practitioners in Nigeria with data driven stories that can create policy reform.
The call was made in a 14-point communiqué issued in Calabar at the end of a one-day workshop for journalists.
The workshop had as theme; “How to Create Compelling Data-Driven Stories to Stimulate Policy Reform” and was graced by 27 journalists across the country.
The training’s objective was to promote citizens’ participation in contracting data disclosure vis-a-vis improving transparency in policies relating to the extractive sector.
Two main issues established in the course of the workshop include – “Effective Communication and Data-Driven Storytelling for Advocacy and Policy Reforms in the Extractive Sector”, and “Applying Data Principles for Effective Data Storytelling in the Extractive Sector”.
The workshop observed that Journalists are major stakeholders in how stories are told yet they lack basic training.
In addition, it was also observed that there is a need for credible sources to provide access to data that can be used for publishing compelling stories.
The Participants at the workshop recommended in part that “Journalists should leverage organizations that make data accessible and simplified.
“Training in data journalism should be held in the school, that way the students are privy to data-driven storytelling.
“Journalists should create stories that will create impact support and encourage the youth to get interested in a change. Data-Driven stories are suggested to create an impact and induce policy reform.
“Infographics are one of the best forms of visualization when reporting qualitative data.
“Journalists should be provided with adequate safety measures to report stories without fear or favour.
“It is suggested that CSOs send their stories/reports to the media to report first before posting on their social media handles. This will help the story circulate appropriately before the authorities stop the media from reporting it”, the communiqué read.