In a strategic effort to strengthen peacebuilding through responsible journalism, Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) and LIDA Network have facilitated training for 180 media practitioners and youth communicators across Kaduna, Plateau, and Taraba States under the Media for Peace (PeaceCore) Project.
The three-week intervention forms part of the PeaceCore II Programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project seeks to address the growing challenges of misinformation, hate speech and conflict-sensitive reporting in fragile contexts, especially in Nigerias conflict prone areas.
The five-day training per state covered intensive capacity-building workshops for journalists across print, broadcast, and digital media platforms.
Speaking during an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) at the Kaduna session, Lady Irene David Arinze, Founder of LIDA Network, highlighted the importance of ethical adaptation of emerging technologies in journalism. She said, “Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to spread misinformation. Journalists must understand these tools and apply them responsibly to verify information, counter false narratives and report conflicts with sensitivity.”
Participants noted that the training deepened their understanding of how unchecked narratives, harmful language and false information can escalate tensions within communities.
The workshops focused on conflict-sensitive journalism, ethical storytelling, fact-checking, information disorder and digital media for peacebuilding, while introducing participants to AI-supported verification tools for responsible reporting.
By the end of the programme, over 85 per cent of participants reported improved capacity in conflict-sensitive communication, with several media organisations committing to strengthening internal fact-checking processes. The project also facilitated the formation of journalist networks to support continued collaboration and story verification.
Through the PeaceCore Project, LIDA Network reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the role of the media as credible actors for peace, accountability, and social cohesion across Nigeria.
