PTCIJ Holds Training for Journalists in the Natural Resources and Extractives Sector

The Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), through its Natural Resources and Extractives Programme, is holding a three-day virtual training for journalists in Nigeria to improve reporting around the natural resources and extractives sector.

The aim of the project is to train and equip selected Nigerian journalists with the tools and resources needed to effectively report on the natural resources sector for sustainability.

This training occurs after the organisation made a call for applications from interested journalists across the country. 

The organisation received applications from journalists out of which 32 journalists were selected from online, print and electronic (Television and Radio) media across various newsrooms in Nigeria. 

The selected journalists are now undergoing a three-day intensive training which will introduce them to the Natural Resources and Extractives sector in the country. After this training, they will be provided with grants to pursue their respective stories, which will be published on their media platforms.

According to the Natural Resources and Extractive Programme Manager, Akintunde Babatunde, “The training is an opportunity for journalists to improve the reporting of the sector by submitting story ideas they intend to execute while PTCIJ will support them with small grants, data and other resources to ensure the successful execution of story ideas in the sector. 

“As a follow-up to their training, PTCIJ will prepare a policy brief which will speak to the findings of the respective journalists, as well as provide policy recommendations to drive development within the Natural Resources and Extractives sector.”

He noted that PTCIJ is deeply committed to driving accountability and development in Nigeria through the vehicle of journalism. “We hope to strengthen this commitment through this Natural Resources and Extractives Reporting Project,” he added.

The Executive Director of PTCIJ, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, said the idea for the Natural Resource Journalism is to promote public dialogue on natural resources issues through programmes that inform, empower and inspire better journalism.