Dr. Paul Harris Ogbole, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a leading expert in media law and defamation, spearheaded a high-level training session on legal compliance and best practices in media reporting.
This event was part of a two-day workshop organized by Seplat Energy in partnership with Channels Academy, held at Abuja Continental Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 31, 2024.
About Seplat Energy and Channels Academy
Seplat Energy, one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous energy companies, has established itself as a leader not only in sustainable energy solutions but also in community engagement and professional capacity building. Seplat’s commitment to development across various sectors, including media, is reflected in its support for training and initiatives that uphold ethical standards and legal compliance.
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Channels Academy, the training arm of Channels Television, is dedicated to equipping media professionals across Africa with cutting-edge skills and ethical journalism standards. Channels Academy’s partnership with Seplat Energy for this event demonstrates their shared vision of strengthening Nigerian journalism by enhancing the skills and legal awareness of journalists.
Training Highlights and Dr. Ogbole’s Recommendations
In his presentation, An Analysis of Legal Compliance and Best Practices in Media Reporting: Issues in Defamation and Libel, Dr. Ogbole addressed essential aspects of defamation, the legal frameworks governing it, and emphasized the responsibility of journalists to maintain high ethical standards. Using real-world cases as reference points, he encouraged journalists to implement strategies that reduce defamation risks while supporting truthful reporting.
Dr. Ogbole’s key recommendations for media practitioners included:
- Regulatory Compliance and Editorial Policies: Media organizations should establish robust editorial policies that include regular legal reviews, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects.
- Collaboration with Legal Experts: Journalists and media houses were advised to work closely with legal professionals to ensure a comprehensive understanding of defamation laws and avoid legal pitfalls.
- Mandatory Defamation Law Training: To enhance awareness, Dr. Ogbole advocated for consistent, mandatory training programs on defamation laws, equipping journalists with the knowledge of their rights and obligations.
- Leveraging Emerging Technologies: He suggested adopting AI and data analytics tools for pre-publication content monitoring, enabling media organizations to identify and mitigate potential defamation issues in real time.
- Fact-Checking and Source Verification: Emphasizing the need for accuracy, he recommended that journalists prioritize fact-checking and source verification and use disclaimers as an additional safeguard.
Dr. Ogbole, Encourages Ethical Reporting at Seplat and Channels Academy Media Workshop in Abuja”
The partnership between Seplat Energy and Channels Academy, bolstered by Dr. Ogbole’s expert guidance, marks a significant step toward fostering responsible journalism in Nigeria.
Through these efforts, journalists are empowered to navigate complex defamation laws while upholding ethical standards, thus reinforcing public trust in the media.
