From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Director General of Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Mr. Joseph Lengman, has identified the media as a critical stakeholder in the peace-building process that can address the myriad of security challenges ravaging the country, charging journalists on providing positive narrative about farmer/herders’ conflicts in Plateau and North Central states.
A communiqué issued after one-day training for journalists with the theme: “Taking advantage of the convergence of news media in reporting farmer and herder conflicts in Plateau State” held in Jos, Plateau State, reads in part: “That the agency should embed journalists in their field operation so as to avail the media professionals the opportunity to see first hand the work that the agency is doing in communities for proper reporting.
“That journalists should make conscientious effort to balance their reports and avoid sensationalism.
“That farmer/herder conflicts have persisted because of the absence of justice for victims and criminals have taken advantage of the situation.”
It stated that government needed to do more in identifying and prosecuting crime and criminality in various communities to serve as deterrent to others.
The training programme was supported by GIZ.