Far North: Journalists drilled on int’l humanitarian law, safety tips in covering conflicts.

Organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, as part of activities to mark the 75th anniversary of Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949. The day one of the seminar was used to educate journalists on the mission and vision of the ICRC.

Media men and women were also enlightened on the significance of some emblems of the ICRC and how the organisation came into being.

Then, pressmen were thought the basics of the International Humanitarian Law, IHL, and some safety measures the journalists have to adopt while reporting on crisis situations.

Equipped with knowledge to stay safe while covering conflicts and humanitarian crises, the journalists expressed gratitude to the ICRC facilitators for such a vital training.

Celestin Tabouli Success, freelance journalist based in Maroua, said the seminar was highly necessary.

"We have learnt the laws protecting journalists, which I think is good to know given that I do a lot of stories on frontline communities and I have to be cautious of the risks I encounter and how to deal with them,” Tabouli said. 

Marie Claire Derick Mahile, journalist working at Baba Info, said the seminar is timely.

"There are a lot of stories on attacks and displaced communities which necessitate our covering. It's important for us to stay alive while on coverage and I have been again reminded on laws protecting me. I hope to see many female journalists too in future seminars like this,” she said.

Joël Fortune, Head of the ICRC Sub office in Maroua, said they are happy to once again have this exchange with journalists. 

"We thought it wise to reinforce capacities of journalists at the 75th anniversary of the convention, to share with them struggles of civilians in affected communities. We haven’t seen many in the region since the start of the crises and we will strengthen collaboration with Journalists," Fortune said. 

With incessant Boko Haram attacks and other severe conflicts in the Far North Region, journalists say they need more of such workshops. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3219 of Wednesday September 04, 2024