Mr. Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), has urged media organizations to explore alternative sources of funding for conducting investigative reporting, rather than relying solely on donor agencies.
He made this call on the second day of the 2023 edition of the Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference and Awards ceremony organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) in Abuja.
Mr. Aiyetan highlighted the necessity for media outlets to achieve financial sustainability, enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities. He also underscored the significance of journalists prioritizing objectivity, accuracy, and story verification before publication. He urged media professionals to leverage technology and audience identification to actively engage their audiences.
Ms Amina Salihu, Deputy Director, MacArthur Foundation, while contributing to the discussion, emphasized the importance of data in crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
She advocated for quality reporting, independent journalism, accountability, and the courage to speak truth to power as essential elements of effective investigative reporting. Ms. Salihu encouraged collaborative efforts with development partners and civil society organizations to support media organizations in producing unbiased reports.
During a remote contribution via Zoom, Ms Toyin Akinniyi, Vice President, Africa, Luminate Group, expressed the view that donor funding is crucial for media organizations to undertake investigative reporting and urged media entities to explore diverse funding options to sustain their efforts in informing the public.
Mr. Jimeh Saleh, BBC Editor, called on media organizations to focus more on developmental stories and follow up on narratives until tangible results are achieved, encouraging journalists to pursue unique stories that focus on the human perspective.
