As the media landscape continues to evolve, media professionals must engage in regular discourse. These dialogues serve the critical role of identifying and tackling the pressing challenges confronting the news media and culminate in policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding press freedom, promoting ethical journalism practices, and protecting the rights of journalists. The conversations also nurture a culture of collaboration and collective action among media professionals, civil society organisations, policymakers, and the public.
In line with the need for regular dialogue, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) hosted five such conversations. During the April WSCIJ Journalism & Society Conversations on X Spaces, we held discussions on maximising the news media as a catalyst for women’s economic development, leveraging investigative journalism for social change, fostering collaborative journalism for impactful subnational reporting, and exploring digital disruption in the Nigerian media landscape. In April, we also dedicated one of the conversations to honouring the legacy of the late Rotimi Sankore, a distinguished journalist and advocate for women’s rights.
Aside from the weekly Journalism & Society Conversations, WSCIJ has established several platforms to foster in-depth discussions on pertinent issues. Notable is the annual Wole Soyinka Media Lecture series started in 2008. Since its introduction, the centre has organised 14 editions, featured 14 keynote speakers and engaged 54 discussants with over 4000 attendees. In 2020, WSCIJ introduced the In-depth Media Conference to discuss issues- technology, artificial intelligence, investigative journalism, sustainability, and media ethics. In 2022, it was renamed Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference courtesy of a strategic partnership with 17 other organisations tagged the Media and Journalism (MAJ) cohort under the MacArthur Foundation’s ‘On Nigeria Project.’
We encourage you to participate in these ongoing conversations. Follow us on social media for updates on upcoming events, discussions, and opportunities to engage with WSCIJ and other media professionals.
Signed
Motunrayo Alaka
Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ
