By Anas Abbas
Faculty of Communication of Bayero University, Kano and the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters organized a two-day round table meeting on investigative and data-driven journalism challenges.
The roundtable, held on Monday, focused on challenges of investigative and data-driven journalism and was themed ” Round table meeting on issues and challenges of investigative and data-driven journalism in the broadcast sector in North West Nigeria.”
The event, organized in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Broadcasting, took place at the CBN Centre of Excellence at Bayero University, Kano.
Professor Umaru Pate, a communications expert and seasoned scholar, presented a paper titled “The Imperative of Investigative and Data-Driven Journalism in North West Nigeria.”
As the keynote speaker, Pate thoroughly explained that “investigative journalism contributes to freedom of information.”
Pate noted that some companies might pull their advertisements if the media content conflicts with their interests.
He highlighted the pressing issue of inadequate funding for research within media organisations.
Pate noted that many outlets often overlook the necessity of investing in thorough research, emphasizing that producing quality news requires financial commitment. “To deliver high-quality journalism, organizations must be willing to allocate resources toward research,” he stated.
He addressed another significant challenge faced by investigative journalism, which is “the threats to journalists’ safety,” which underscores the need for greater support and protection for those committed to uncovering important stories.