The Liberalist Centre had held a two-day training program for journalists under its Journalism for Liberty Fellowship. The event took place on April 15th and 16th, at Bible Guest House in Abuja, with the theme “Promoting a Free, Prosperous Society Through Pro-freedom Reporting.”
The primary objective of the event was to equip journalists with the art of pro-freedom reporting and promote the principles of liberty. Journalists from different regions of Nigeria with 10 attending in person and 15 virtually. The attendees were trained to enhance their reporting skills to create a more free and prosperous society.
The training featured a lineup of seasoned speakers who delivered presentations on various topics related to pro-freedom reporting. Flagging off the event, Abdullah Tijani, the Executive Director of the Liberalist Centre, highlighted the importance of promoting liberty and the significance of the Journalism for Liberty Fellowship in this endeavor.
Leonard Ogunweide, one of the speakers, addressed the delicate balance between individual freedom and community values in Libertarianism and Social Issues. He emphasized the responsibility of journalists to navigate this balance while reporting on social matters.
Anna Suberu, another speaker who is an Alumni Engagement Officer at Students For Liberty, discussed the Importance of Pro-freedom Ideas in Media Space. She underscored the pivotal role journalists play in promoting individual liberty, free markets, and democracy, urging them to communicate these ideas effectively.
Akintunde Babatunde, a data journalist and program director at the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development, delved into Data Journalism: Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices. He demonstrated how data can bolster pro-freedom reporting, offering practical tips on data collection and analysis.
Jon Hersey, an Associate Editor at The Objective Standard, rounded up the first day with a powerful session on How to Write Powerfully in Defense of Liberty. He highlighted the essence of clear and concise writing, enabling journalists to effectively convey ideas supporting freedom and democracy.
On the second day, Dotun Famoriyo, a public policy analyst, expounded on Harnessing the Power of Journalism to Shape Public Policy. He enlightened the attendees about their capacity to influence policy decisions through their reporting.
Award-winning investigative journalist, Ibrahim Adeyemi, shared his experiences and provided insights into Investigative Journalism. Participants gained valuable techniques and strategies for exposing corruption and abuse of power.
The event was sponsored by Atlas Network and African Students For Liberty as part of the grants given to the Liberalist Centre under its Journalism for Liberty project.
Additional partners included Face of Liberty International, and Objective Standard Institute.
Abdullah Tijani, the Executive Director of the Liberalist Centre, expressed his gratitude for the support received, saying, “We are grateful to Students For Liberty for their commitment to promoting the principles of freedom and liberty in Nigeria. The Journalism for Liberty Fellowship Training was a resounding success, and we look forward to continuing this important work.”
In total, the workshop trained 25 journalists and writers who now possess the tools to effectively communicate the principles of freedom and liberty. The overwhelmingly positive feedback received showcased the journalists’ enthusiasm for learning and championing pro-freedom reporting in Nigeria.
The Journalism for Liberty Fellowship Training has set a powerful precedent, empowering journalists to act as torchbearers of liberty, and promoting a brighter future for Nigeria and beyond.
