Lawyers Alert Participates in CJID Workshop in Abuja Under the People-Centered Public Safety Project

The President of Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom, facilitated a session at a CJID workshop in Abuja under the People-Centered Public Safety Project, training journalists from Benue, Bayelsa, and Abuja on public safety reporting.

Speaking on Community Policing and Civilian Oversight- The Benue Example, he shared lessons from community policing initiatives in Agatu, Katsina-Ala, and Guma LGAs.

Doctor Rommy emphasized the critical role of the media in early warning, public sensitization, accountability, peace messaging, and conflict de-escalation, reinforcing journalism’s impact in building safer communities.

Also, a member of the Lawyers Alert Media team, Helen Odisi, attended the capacity building where journalists were urged to prioritise rigorous fact-finding, avoid borrowed or sensational language, and challenge dominant stereotypes by producing reporting grounded in lived realities, community relationships, and historical context, rather than reinforcing fear-based framings.

Participants were also introduced to emerging national patterns of violence, including

geographic diffusion, high recurrence driven by delayed or absent state response, security vacuums, and retaliation cycles - dynamics often missed in headline-driven coverage.

Beyond documenting violence, journalists were encouraged to highlight peacebuilders,

community resilience, coping mechanisms, and reform efforts, without denying the reality of insecurity. The emphasis was on producing journalism that reflects both harm and human agency.

The Open Society Foundations support the People-Centred Public Safety Project.