Journalists shine as Women Radio holds inaugural ReportHer Awards

The Women Radio Centre, on Saturday, held its maiden edition of the ReportHer Awards.

The award recognises media organisations and journalists who report women-related issues.

The award honours winners in five categories: television, radio, print, digital, and journalist.

Speaking during the ceremony which was held at Radisson Blu, Lagos, Toun Okewole-Sonaiya, chief executive officer of Women Radio, thanked the media for the deliberate and intentional commitment to gender-sensitive reporting.

“It is because of you we have gathered here to celebrate the incredible work that you do every day, on inclusion,” she said.

“With your dedication to shaping narratives challenging us and demanding accountability, you help make Nigeria a wonderful and good place for women. We thank you.

“The objective of the ReportHer Awards is to honour media organisations, broadcasters, and journalists who have continuously and deliberately reported women. Because it is through your relentless commitment that we embark on this remarkable evening.

“Each story told shaped the narratives and created an impact on female reportage. We celebrate the achievements of our nominees. We recognise your invaluable contributions to journalism, women’s inclusion, and the development of our dear nation.

“As we acknowledge the collective impact we have made through responsible journalism, let us remember the responsibilities that come with being a journalist and a broadcaster.”

Also speaking, Balarabe Ilelah, director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission, said the NBC is dedicated to protecting the dignity of women as provided in the broadcasting code.

“We believe that women must be empowered to be part of all the developmental process of our dear nation. Therefore, this initiative of rewarding journalists who excel in gender-balanced coverage is a welcome development,” Ilelah said.

“To awardees, this should boost you to do more as there is still more to do in the area of affirmative action, forced labour, rape, girl-child abuse and many more.

“I hope this will motivate other industry players to support, promote and protect the rights of women across the country.”

‘CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ABOUT WOMEN’

On her part, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women representative to Nigeria, said the media has the capacity to change the perception and narrative about women.

“Our message is that if we don’t achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, we are never going to achieve sustainable development goals,” Eyong said.

“We are hopeful that the news media will improve significantly in the reporting of election campaigns and other aspects of social and economic life that will bridge the gender gap and improve the standard of living for women and girls across Nigeria.”

“We kindly request the media to be at the forefront of women’s movements and amplify our efforts to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, behavioural change, and abolition of harmful and cultural practices.

“The media should improve their efforts in their engagement of the executive. legislative and judicial arms of government to enhance the formulation and implementation of gender-responsive policies and laws that will ensure equal opportunities for all.”

THE AWARDEES

Titilope Fadare, a journalist with Premium Times, an online medium, won the award for journalist of the year.

Ene Oshaba, a reporter with the Blue Print Online, was named second runner-up for the same category.

Techcabal won in the digital category with Ripples Nigeria as the first runner-up.

Voice of Nigeria (VON) won the award for the radio category while Sparkling 92.3FM came second.

Other winners were Blueprint Newspapers and Leadership Newspapers who placed first and second respectively in the print category.

Arise News won the television category ahead of African Independent Television (AIT).