The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has partnered with organizations such as Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) and the European Union (EU) to launch a Standard Reporting Handbook for journalists covering human trafficking cases in Nigeria.
Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General of NAPTIP, emphasized the handbook’s crucial role in guiding journalists to report accurately and sensitively on issues related to Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (TIPSOM).
The two-day Validation and Technical Finalization Workshop held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, served as a platform to underscore the significance of using specific language and registers recommended by the United Nations for reporting human trafficking. The reporting template, derived from UN conventions, is designed to ensure that journalists adopt appropriate terminology to address the complexities of human trafficking cases.
Waziri-Azi highlighted the collaborative effort with partners in developing the reporting template, aiming to enhance the quality and sensitivity of journalism in addressing human trafficking issues in Nigeria. The workshop provided an opportunity to validate the handbook and address any existing gaps in reporting practices.
Federico Millan, Team Leader of A-TIPSOM, stressed the handbook’s importance in prioritizing the protection of victims during the reporting process. The collaborative initiative aims to contribute to a more informed and compassionate approach to reporting human trafficking cases in Nigeria.
