Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
Ahead of next year's Governorship election in Edo State, journalists majorly those who operates on-line were weekend trained on the use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act; to be able to extract hoarded information from those in power, for public good.
The one day training in Benin, held courtesy of the Civil Empowerment and Rule of Law Support Initiative (CERSLI).
The deputy director of CERSLI, Bob Majiroghene lectured participants on focus of the training: 'Essential of Writing Freedom of Information (FOI) Letter'.
Majiroghene emphasised that all the components of a FOI letter must be captured by the writer, as a necessity to enable the target authority accept it. Otherwise, they will capitalize on the loophole (s) to refuse the request being sort.
Hence journalists must master the provisions of the FOI Act, and how to use them to be able to make those in authority; he described as very sleeky, to bulge with the desired information.
Even though the FOI Act exist, those in authority due to the oath of secrecy they have sworn to, would always want to hoard important information bordering on the conduct of the social contract signed with the people.
But as watch dog of the society, the journalist owe the constitutional responsibility to lay the facts bare, in whatever form they may be.
Therefore, as the Governorship election in Edo State draw near, this need for journalists using the FOI Act to interrogate those who wants to be Governor, becomes very vital he stated.
Also, the training was to adequately equip the journalist, to be on the right side of the law doing his job.
Earlier, veteran journalist and media expert, Tony Abolo delivered the address of the Executive Director of CERSLI, Sam Kargbo (SAN).
Kargbo urged journalists to be upbeat using the provisions of the FOI Act in the task of information gathering and dissemination, for public good.
"We believe this seminar comes in handy for two reasons; 'The first is that Edo State is on the cusp of a governorship election in 2024.
"Issues concerning physical and human infrastructure like roads, health care, education and security of lives and property took centre stage in the past seven years in Edo State.
"There were reports that online and mainstream journalist had difficulties with accessing government information, and this is in spite of the reported interest of most subnational governments like Edo in the Open Government Partnership, OGP, thematic areas of zero tolerance to corruption, citizen participation in governance and access to information.
"Second is the key role that journalists, especially online and freelance journalists can play in interrogating infractions in governance.
"To do this within the ambit of the law, and avoid issues related to fake news, misinformation, disinformation and unnecessary media censorship with responsible reportage of news-related stories and investigations. This FOI seminar becomes pertinent.
"CERLSI expects that at the end of the seminar, online and freelance journalists will be strategically positioned to engage State actors to make requests that will lead to promoting free, fair and credible elections in Edo State and Nigeria."
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