Please note: The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) will no longer be part of this project. Previously announced in connection with a Tobacco Harm Reduction reporting workshop in collaboration with THR Nigeria the ICIR’s role has since been withdrawn, and this initiative will now proceed independently.
THE International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), in collaboration with Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) Nigeria, is seeking applications for a specialised workshop aimed at enhancing tobacco harm reduction reporting among Nigerian media professionals.
The initiative is part of a larger strategy to empower journalists and media practitioners with the knowledge and skills required for accurate, ethical, and evidence-based reporting on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and Safer Nicotine Products (SNPs).
The workshop will also introduce participants to a newly developed Tobacco Harm Reduction Reporting toolkit, a comprehensive resource that addresses common misconceptions, corrects misinformation, and enhances journalistic capacity to cover THR topics with sensitivity, context, and accuracy.
The Executive Director of The ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan, noted that “journalists, even health reporters, need to have adequate understanding of the issues around tobacco consumption and the global efforts at reducing its harmful effects on human health.”
“Reporting on smoking, THR (Tobacco Harm Reduction) and the so-called Safer Nicotine products is somewhat sensitive and technical, otherwise journalists who do not have proper understanding would end up misinforming the public.Hence the need for the toolkit, he added.
The representative for Tobacco Harm Reduction, Nigeria, Molly Ogbodum, noted that the THR toolkit “Is a useful resource to provide media professionals with the skill and knowledge to bridge the gap between THR reporting, public understanding, and usage of SNPs.”
She emphasised that the initiative was not just about education, but about addressing persistent challenges in public perception.
“The goal is to correct misconceptions, reduce misinformation, and increase awareness of SNP by building the capacity of media professionals for effective, responsible, and ethical THR reporting in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the broader impact of the efforts, she added, “We are bridging the information gap by capacitating media professionals, ensuring that the public, especially adult consumers, have access to reliable information to make informed choices regarding safer nicotine products.”
Applications are now open for health journalists, investigative reporters, and media professionals interested in exploring or expanding their capacity in health and public health reporting through this workshop.
The workshop is open to early-career and seasoned journalists who are passionate about improving the quality of reporting around health and tobacco-related issues.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply here.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.