African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) is an annual event that brings the best of the continent’s investigative, media and journalists from across the world. It is organized by Wits centre for journalism, a unit within Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg’s Journalism department. The event is always packaged with activities: talks, panel sessions, masterclasses, networking, award sessions, dinners among many others.
Being a second timer, the Executive Director of Africa Foundation for Young media professionals and Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa, Yinka Olaitio is one of the speakers in this 2024 edition. His focus was on “Bringing the marginalized voices to the fore in investigation”. Aside from sharing the impact of the two organizations Yinka Olaito represented, the session exposed participants to enhanced skills in effective storytelling in disability and inclusion reporting, what to look out for and how to build collaboration and partnerships for an inclusive society.
L-R Uyanda Siyotula(session moderator) and Yinka Olaito(Photo credit: Blessing Oladunjoye)
Opening the session, the moderator, Uyanda Siyotula, who is theNational coordinator, SOS Coalition, a South African Public media service initiative charged participants to pay attention as it has been observed this area of journalism had suffered so much while it comes to reporting. Siyotula said “We are all here to learn and I strongly believe by the time we are living this one-hour session, we will all be equipped to do better stories”.
Yinka Olaito why opening the session shared on why the voices of the marginalized should be covered by the medic in itself. Some of the reasons he gave include: marginalised population suffer most of the abuses, media blackout issues that concern them is enormous, there is no inclusive society without voices of the marginalized, justice is not a privilege for the few but for everyone.
yinka Olaito during his presentation
Yinka Olaito identified the challenges of investigative journalists in covering this important population like low knowledge of issues and reporters’ barriers. To report effectively, Yinka Charged investigative journalists to be intentional about covering voices of the marginalized.
This starts with knowing the laws and acts of the ecosystem as well as charged newsrooms to lead by examples. “A newsroom that cannot champion inclusion has no right to preach this” Yinka Olaito said. To do effective storytelling, knowledge of data, understanding the marginalized ecosystem, collaboration, creating safe spaces for the population and risk awareness will go a long way.
The Africa investigative journalism Conference 2024 edition brought together over 450 delegates from about 55 countries.
