The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and its partners have introduced a Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists covering human trafficking cases in Nigeria.
Director General (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, revealed that the reporting handbook targets journalists and media corps working to support the awareness campaign against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (TIPSOM).
The DG made this known at a two-day Validation and Technical Finalization Workshop on Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists and members of the Trafficking in Persons Media Corps, organised by NAPTIP in partnership with the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (A-TIPSOM) and the European Union, (EU), yesterday in Keffi, Nasarawa state.
She said “The reporting template came because of an enunciation of the United Nations urging the use of specific words, language and registers that apply to trafficking in persons and if you don’t use them in your reportage, other choice of words will not serve the purpose and may actually denigrate a victim causing another round of stigma.
“The terms highlighted in the reporting template did not come from NAPTIP, those terms are domiciled in the UN conventions and the importance of using those templates in our reportage is that they are deemed appropriate to speak to the issue.”
Represented by the Director Training and Manpower Development, NAPTIP, Arinze Orakwue, the DG notes that the need for a reporting template stems from the fact that there are unique registers and terms that are approved to be used appropriately in reporting cases of trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.
Professor Waziri-Azi explained that “The validation workshop can help us bridge the gap and validate the standard operating document.
Team Leader, A-TIPSOM, Federico Millan, noted that the reporting template is important to the fight against trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants which represents the core existence of the A-TIPSOM, project implemented by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies, (GIIAP).
Represented by Segun Sanwo from A-TIPSOM, he said “The way and manner cases of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants is being reported, must ensure that victims are adequately protected in the course of reportage of the issues.”
Speaking on the impact of effective reportage of cases of trafficking in persons on victims, Director, Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, Josiah Emerole, urged journalists to report the issues using approved terminologies and in a professional manner.
“Reports must be done in ways that will not further traumatize victims. The previous worships we have held have resulted in effective reportage and as a result of these trainings, a standard reporting document has been born.”
