Journalists have been called to work out approach that will reduce social problems in their society.
The call was made on Tuesday at the IACD Library and Resource Centre, Jericho, Ibadan by an Abuja based media health expert during a solution journalism meet up.
The facilitator, Mr Chibuike Alagboso who trained around 39 journalists drawn from country’s reputable radio,TV ,Print and Online and volunteers on Solution Journalism noted that there are various social issues imminent in the country, with their associated way-out but remain untapped due to poor knowledge, time coverage and describable funding.
Chibuike added that Nigerian journalists should stop being regarded watchdogs but guide dogs, the only phenomenon that could brighten the society towards solutions can be guaranteed through them.
The facilitator called on every media house to airtime solution journalism programmes as this will strengthen creativity in their staff, especially reporters.
” I want to state here categorically that social problems are in their numeralness, scream, while solutions only whisper”
” To mean that media persons are the only media through which the whispering solutions can be heard or amplified”, he said.
In the meantime, the facilitator , who co-founded Nigeria Health Watch enjoined non- governmental bodies, government administrators, wealthy individuals and media founders to encourage solution journalism in terms of research funding and support as these remain key to democratic development in the country.
