AFYMP Trains 40 Student Journalists on Safety Precautions

Orisatoye Aminat

Photo Credit: ACJOAU

The Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals has, on Saturday 27th January, held a one-day seminar for aspiring journalists, in conjunction with the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University. This seminar was organized to train 40 campus journalists on how to safeguard themselves when reporting.

While delivering his speech, AFYMP Executive Director Yinka Olaito explained what Safety is and the importance of safety when reporting an event. He said, 'Safety is based on taking precautions'. He enjoined members of the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU to always take all the necessary precautions while reporting. 

As stated by the AFYMP Executive Director, Yinka Olaito, he noted that a journalist must be vigilant and collaborative. He added 'As a Journalist, think about your safety before you cover an event'. He advised the student journalists to have full knowledge about themselves; their Health status and their allergies.

Speaking on the importance of the safety of Journalists when reporting, Mr Olaito noted that Journalists may be reporting in hostile environments, and in environments where riots may easily strike. Preparation for their safety will help them escape when a riot strikes. 

Furthermore, Mr Olaito also advised that reporters should pay attention to sensitive messages received on their phones and ensure they encrypt data files on their phones. Also, he listed some of the important precautions to take while they safeguard themselves, e.g. knowing the school environment, basic ethics, school handbooks, health, next of kin, etc.

While explaining the meaning of a freelance journalist. He noted that a Freelance Journalist is an individual who is not employed by anyone but gets paid for the job done. He said, "One can be a freelance journalist at the corner of one's home". He also spoke in his speech about the ethics, defamation, and privacy in journalism. 

Meanwhile, earlier before his speech, Mr. Yinka Olaito had requested the audience to share their reasons for joining the Association of Campus Journalism. 

Answering that, Adedimeji Khadeejah, a 200L Sociology student studying Broadcast Journalism, stated that she entered the program to promote impartiality and factual reporting. 

According to Aboluwarin Oluwatamilore Grace, she joined the organization to hone her writing abilities. 

A 200L Law student stated that conducting investigations is his main interest in the field of journalism. Additionally, many attendees reiterated that investigative journalism interests them.