Juliana Francis, Publisher, Security News Alert, has called on journalists to adopt a more ethical, empathetic and nuanced approach to reporting on issues affecting girls and women. She made this call at the sixth Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellowship training in Lagos, organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
Francis proposed story ideas on marital rape, femicide, human trafficking and the abuse of women with disabilities, while highlighting the experiences of “silent victims” of gender-based violence angles within the criminal justice system, such as police conduct, court processes, conditions in correctional facilities and the criminalisation of poverty.
She offered guidance on language use, urging journalists to avoid stereotypes, stigmatising terms, victim-blaming narratives and judgmental framing. Reporters, she stressed, must safeguard survivors’ dignity, respect their autonomy and ensure that stories are both accurate and coherent.
“Accuracy and compassion must go hand in hand,” Francis advised, encouraging journalists to report not only on the challenges but also on viable solutions.
Francis identified the importance of collaboration with advocacy groups, fellow journalists and across multiple platforms to amplify women voices and ensure continued engagement through follow-up reporting.
