……Trains Journalists on Water Campaign and Reporting
Journalists must through their reportage spotlight issues such as climate change, urbanisation, and demographic shifts that exacerbate water stress on the African continent.
This resolution was reached at a media training on water campaign with the theme: “Shaping the Narrative: Reporting on Water Access and Privatisation in Africa” organised against the backdrop of the 4th Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation.
Environment enthusiast and broadcast journalist, Esther Omopariola who spoke on “The Role of Journalists in Exposing Water Inequalities” said through investigative techniques, holding institutions and government accountable, and using reliable data, journalists can expose the inequalities around water availability, thereby pushing for meaningful changes.
“Visiting affected communities to gather first-hand accounts. Investigate distances to water sources, water quality, and the reliability of these sources. Understanding data from sources like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF on water distribution and health impacts, such as the link between unsafe water and malnutrition.
“Familiarize yourself with the United Nations Resolution (2010) that recognizes the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right. Investigate how governments are adhering to this resolution.
“Investigate regions facing extreme water scarcity where conflict, climate change, and poor infrastructure exacerbate water access problems. For instance, in Nigeria’s north like Borno, Adamawa, and Kebbi States. Highlight disparities between urban and rural access to water, with rural populations often more reliant on untreated surface water.
On his part, Media Consultant, Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile explained that for journalists to strike a balance in their reportage, they must
provide comprehensive and well-researched background information, seek diverse perspectives, involve stakeholders in the reporting process and fact check.
Speaking on the title: “Ethical reporting and advocacy journalism” Dr. Oyegbile noted that advocacy allows journalists to take a stance on an issue and use their reporting skills to push for change or raise awareness while uncovering systemic inequalities and exposing wrongdoing.
Earlier, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi said recognising the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.
Akinbode listed the effects of water privatization to include rising tariffs and unaffordability, limited public accountability, cherry-picking service areas, undermining the human right to water, and loss of one in three water jobs among others.
He added that going forward the African continent must embrace the Public and Community-Controlled Water System, Deprivatisation, Increased Public Spending on Water Infrastructure, and Addressing Water Issues from RightBased Lenses among other measures.
The 4th Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation is put together by the Our Water, Our Right African Coalition, OWORAC which features Communities, Civil Societies and Trade Unionists drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Mozambique, Cameroon and Gabon.