By Doris Obinna
The urgent call for traditional media to take an active role in advancing maternal healthcare and gender reform in Nigeria was at the centre of a two-day training workshop organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Lagos.
Partnering with the Lagos State Government and EngenderHealth, ISMPH convened journalists and broadcasters from across the country for an intensive programme designed to equip them as champions of gender justice and public health, with a message that the media must do more than report, it must lead.
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Director of Programmes, ISMPH, Solomon Dogo, stressed the urgency of media participation in addressing maternal and child health challenges. “Media professionals are not just observers. They are critical stakeholders, alongside lawmakers and government officials, in the mission to end maternal and child mortality.”
Segun Ogunyinka, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, acknowledged the state’s progress in improving maternal and child health and tackling gender-based violence but admitted that gaps remain. He called for stronger collaboration across all sectors and urged the media to expose corruption and malpractice in health facilities that undermine the state’s policies.
Facilitator Olumide Olaniyan challenged traditional media professionals to embrace digital platforms while upholding the principles of factual reporting. He stressed that the credibility of traditional media lies in its responsibility to verify facts, particularly when addressing sensitive issues such as gender, family planning, reproductive health, and adolescent wellbeing.
Warning against the dangers of misinformation on social media, he said: “When misinformation appears in respected publications, it carries dangerous credibility. We are challenged to challenge these harmful stereotypes.”
Breakaway sessions at the workshop revealed a shared commitment among participants to adopt inclusive strategies that bridge communication gaps in public health. The consensus underscored that ethical, factual, and inclusive journalism is not just a professional standard but a lifeline for communities.
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