Rakiya A.Muhammad
The Liberalist Centre for Education has trained 48 journalists from across Nigeria on pro-freedom reporting.
The Nigeria-based libertarian think tank promotes pro-freedom ideas for human flourishing.
Twenty journalists participated physically, while 28 joined online for the two-day programme with the theme “Promoting a Free, Prosperous Society Through Pro-Freedom Reporting”.
It was part of the centre’s Journalism for Liberty project funded by Atlas Network. This non-profit organisation secures individuals’ rights to economic and personal freedom through its global network of think tanks.
The Face of Liberty International, African Students for Liberty and Cheetahs Policy Institute included the centre’s other partners in the project.
“Our aim is to establish a media platform that uses investigative stories, in-depth features, and engaging op-ed articles to inform and expose the adverse effects of excessive government’s powers and ways through which individual liberty and the free market are impeded,” disclosed Programme Director, Johnson Sanni.
“After this training, these fellows shall become contributors to our news magazines and advocates of liberty through their reports.”
He said the project also includes launching a news magazine that focuses on publishing pro-liberty articles.
Executive Director Abdullah Tijani noted the Journalism for Liberty Fellowship aimed at exposing journalists to the ideas of liberty and the journalistic skills needed for reporting to promote the ideas.
Tijjani described the training as an eye-opener for the participants.
“It enlightened them on the ideas of freedom which serves as the basis upon which the philosophy of libertarianism is built.”
A participant, Adedayo Muhammed-Bashir, noted about the training: “Majorly, it was all about who we are in the society and who we should be in respect to how to identify and protect our rights and freedom.”
He added it gave him an insight into the true ideas of liberty.
