Experts want solution journalism integrated into media education in Nigeria
Participants agreed that reporting about society’s issues through the solution lens is essential to change the perspectives of media audiences. Experts want solution journalism integrated into media education in Nigeria
Media practitioners and journalism lecturers have called for the integration of solution journalism. Knowledge into communication and journalism curriculum in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
They said the new generation of journalists need to be exposed to the concept of solution. Journalism as part of the ways to achieve developmental changes in the society while also holding power to account.
They also argued that reporting about society’s issues through the solution lens is essential to change the perspectives of media. Audiences who view the reportage of the mainstream media as one filled with negative stories.
The experts made the call at a one-day workshop for journalism lecturers and educators on Solutions Journalism.
The workshop was organised by I-79 Media Consults under its Campus Solutions. Project as part of the 2022 LEDE fellowship, supported by the US-based Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) and was. Held at the Oyo State NUJ secretariat, Ibadan, on Saturday.
The aim of the workshop, according to the organiser, Ifedayo Ogunyemi, was to encourage journalism lecturers and educators to integrate solutions. Journalism into school courseworks and curriculum for the overall benefit of the students and lecturers.
Facilitators speak
One of the facilitators who is also a lecturer and researcher at the Crescent University, Abeokuta, Jamiu Folarin, in his presentation, stated the need for universities to include solutions journalism into academic courseworks and curriculum.
While sharing experiences from how he is leading the integration of solutions into courseworks in his university, he said the concept is a veritable tool to catch students of journalism very young.
He further called on policymakers including the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to include solutions journalism in journalism curriculum or as a course for Mass Communication or Communication and Language Art students.