A leading Canada-based media development organisation, Journalists for Human Rights, has expressed interest in collaborating with Punch Newspapers. The organisation's board chair, Michael Cooke, stated this during a visit to Punch Newspapers' headquarters in Magboro, Ogun State. Cooke said the visit aimed to understand Punch's operations, particularly its digital journalism, and explore possible areas of collaboration.
Journalists for Human Rights trains journalists and management on human rights issues to promote positive change in their communities. The organisation operates in Africa, the Middle East, India, and Bangladesh, providing comprehensive media training, mentoring, and networking. Cooke said the organisation also helps the public understand their rights and advocate for them safely.
Cooke acknowledged the importance of understanding local contexts when working with journalists in different countries. He noted that Journalists for Human Rights views its work as a learning process. The organisation is particularly interested in Punch's digital operations and wants to understand the newspaper's vision for the future of digital journalism.
According to Cooke, an assessment of the Nigerian journalism industry identified areas where journalists require further training, including digital journalism, investigative reporting, and safety and security. The survey found that 71% of journalists felt inadequately prepared for digital journalism. Cooke also identified investigative journalism and safety and security as major concerns, particularly for women journalists.
Punch Metro Editor, Joel Nwokeoma, questioned the representativeness of the survey, noting that a broader sampling was required. He highlighted Punch's history of using journalism to campaign on public-interest and human rights issues, citing the case of Ese Oruru, a 13-year-old girl abducted and taken to Kano for marriage. Nwokeoma said Punch upholds a rights-based approach to operations and allows staff members to express their views through anonymous surveys and village meetings.
Journalists for Human Rights has only recently begun establishing its presence in Nigeria, with its first activity taking place in November 2025. The organisation's volunteer and ambassador, Murdoch Davis, said he had worked with the organisation in Ghana and Sierra Leone. Davis noted that the organisation's work is driven by a desire among experienced journalists to remain active and contribute to the profession.
Punch's Deputy Editor, Tana Aiyejina, stressed that journalists' safety remains important while the newspaper continues to pursue matters of public interest. The Deputy Digital Punch Editor, Dr Yusuf Moshood, discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in the newsroom and Punch's existing AI policy. Moshood explained the newspaper's approach to people-centred journalism and the importance of consistently reporting issues affecting members of the public.
Key points
- Journalists for Human Rights seeks to collaborate with Punch Newspapers on human rights journalism training and professional development.
- The organisation's survey identified areas where Nigerian journalists require further training, including digital journalism and safety and security.
- Punch Newspapers upholds a rights-based approach to operations and has a history of campaigning on public-interest and human rights issues.
