Journalists have been tipped on how to find story angles to report on issues that receive little coverage in the media space which can turn out to be important issues for the readers and general public.
The talk was given during a two days’ training organised by the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the idea of helping journalists have a clear understanding on how to report about the real issues that affect their communities and be able to bring about the desired change by shining a spotlight on underreported stories and giving a voice to those who are often overlooked.
“But now if a person like you is informed, has the skills to do these stories, knows how to find them, document them and put them out there, it is even much better because then you start seeing good appreciation of these stories,” Mr Antonio Kisembo, who was the lead trainer at the event, said.
He said tat in a world that is saturated with news coverage, it’s easy for important stories to slip through the cracks exemplifying the countless stories have gone untold impacting the lives of individuals and communities.
Mr Kisembo also indicated that when journalists are able to say what’s going on in their communities it will not only drive attention to the issues but also those that are providing solutions. This however he says requires a deeper understanding of the systems and how they affect the issue at hand.
“It is important to know what is happening and why, those affected and why, who might be affected but not represented and what will these issues look like in my community,” he told the dozens of journalists who attended the training.
This in addition to paying critical attention to the surrounding, where you at, what and who you see, what seems confusing and those trying to find solutions which will in turn help journalists appreciate issues deeply affecting their communities and also lead to informed decisions that will help shape society.
The training focused on key areas such as Finding and Evaluating Under-reported Stories, human rights reporting, environmental issues, and marginalized communities targeting over 40 journalists in Uganda.
It also emphasized the ethical responsibility but also holding those in power accountable and create a more transparent and fair society.
Media houses are often indulged in stories such as scandal, controversial, current affairs that are mostly perceived as appealing to the audience and get their attention in terms of viewship.
“Usually our media houses term Underreported stories like having to explain Electronic Fiscal Receipt and Invoicing system (EFRIS) as Public relations which most of our traditional media houses don’t like unless there is going to be some partnership,” one of the trainees mentioned.
The other also said, media houses remain business entities and they’re here to make money which is basically translated into viewship so if any content doesn’t buy viewership they need to make money then it doesn’t make business or financial sense. So sometimes they’re logistical issues why some stories are Underreported.”
However, Antonio urged that by investing in training on underreported stories, MCI and UNESCO are paving the way for a more informed and inclusive media landscape in Uganda and also recognition that It’s time to shine a light on the stories that matter most.
He said recently there were some media house and reporters that have taken up the initiative and that if one decided to do such stories they they will be recognized as an Underreported story reporter around that particular issue say climate change.
