Group Trains Photojournalists on Migration Reportage

Art for Humanity Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation on Thursday trained 10 Independent Photojournalist on ethical reportage of migration issues in Edo.

Osaze Efe, the Executive Director of the Foundation, said the two days training was designed to develop capacities of Photojournalists to raise awareness on migratory information and risks.

Efe said the training would build the capacity of Photo journalist to produce visual contents for media and stakeholders that were unbiased in relation to migrant and refugee issues.

He explained that visual stories were the main sources that potential migrants used to gain knowledge on migration.

He added that capacity building for photojournalists would amplify migrant stories and promote informed decision making on migration.

The guest lecturer, Dr Eddy Akpomera, a lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Benin, said migration promoted development and integration of societies when orderly.

In his paper presentation titled, ‘Migration and Visual Story Telling, Akpomera said migration could also be risky and exploitative when done irregularly.

He listed labour mobility, safety and environment to be the three key drivers of international migration.

He maintained that the narrative of Sub-Sahara Africa migration by western media always painted negative picture of Africa migration into Europe through overcrowded boats.

“This scenario, however, does not represent the complete picture of Africa migration

“First, the reality according to IOM, is that majority of African’s migration have been within the continent with fewer figures to Europe and United States of America.

“Secondly, the narrative downplays the positive contributions of migrants who fill labour shortages and skill gaps.

“For example, Nigerian migrants dominate the health care delivery sector in the UK, USA and Canada.

“Thirdly, the narrative overlooks the restrictive visa regimes of EU and USA for documented and skilled migrants, thus promoting irregular migration.

“There are concerns about narrative and visuals on migrants usually framed to negatively impact their human rights and dignity

“Depicting them as criminals, victims of social dislocation and economic crises.’’

He advised visual professionals to remember that their story must have strong appeals for dignity, safety and diversity of migrants.

Akpomera emphasised that virtual stories should protect the identity and legal right of vulnerable migrants under 12 years of age who were victims of human trafficking.

Supreme reports that the 10 participants were drawn from five states of Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.