By Ovat Abeng
Anambra State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has organised a one-day accurate reportage training programme for journalists in the state.
The training took place at the Society’s State Headquarters Amawbia-Awka, on Thursday.
Speaking during the training, the Communication Officer of the Society in the state, Mr. Joseph Obidigwe said the training programme was aimed at equipping journalists with the fundamental principles of the humanitarian organisation in addition to the professional primary responsibility as the watchdog of the society.
According to Obidigwe, the training was to educate Anambra practicing Journalists on how to accurately project the activities of the Red Cross both in words and photographic in the state and beyond.
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“We want Journalists to understand what we are doing which center primarily on Humanity, Impartiality, Independence, Neutrality, Voluntary Services, Unity and Universality.
“The fundamental principles sum up the Movement”s ethics and are at the core of its approach to helping people in need during armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies. These principles unite the components of the Movement, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the National Societies and the International Federation and enable them to provide effective, unbiased assistance to people in need.
He said the Red Cross Society specially recognised journalists’ frontline role in conflict and other disasters reportage. Journalists are among the major key partners to the Society. We want a stronger synergy to enable us the public better.
The Communicator also acknowledged the crucial role journalists play in raising awareness about the humanitarian services provided by the Red Cross Society in Anambra, Nigeria and the World at large.
In his brief remark, the state secretary of the society, Engr Kingsley Okoye, urged Anambra journalists to always fact-check information before publishing, saying that would contribute to reducing the spread of false information about the Organisation.
He emphasized the need for journalists to project the commendable work of the Red Cross Society in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Okoye, who also seek for more collaboration with the media, used the programme to announced that a total of 1,000 household in three local government areas of the State; Ogbaru, Ayamelum and Anambra West will soon received N90,000 each from a renowned International Organisation.
