An award-winning Ghanaian undercover journalist, Anas Arameyaw Anas, has stated that investigative journalism is a powerful weapon to fight corruption, especially in African society, so African journalists, particularly the undercover reporters, can utilise their investigative expertise to expose corruption and other atrocities in the society.
Mr Anas spoke at a two-day experience sharing workshop on investigative journalism for Nigerian and Ghanaian journalists, lecturers and students of Mass Communication in universities and polytechnics.
The auspicious event, which was held at the Faculty of Communications at Bayero University Kano (BUK), attracted eminent academics, seasoned journalists, other prominent guests and students of the institution.
The workshop was organised by the Faculty of Communication in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation.
Designed as a platform to promote exchange of experiences and transfer of knowledge on investigative journalism, the workshop attracted professional journalists, media managers, veteran broadcasters, communication scholars and teachers as well as Mass Communication students from institutions across the country.
The celebrated journalist and founder of Ghana-based Tiger Eye media foundation, contended that African countries may begin to witness enduring growth and better society, devoid of corrupt practices and all indices of underdevelopment the moment journalists expose crimes through investigative journalism.
Sharing experiences on “Enemies of the Nation”, “Betraying the Game” and “Corruption in Ghana Judiciary”, which are three of his famous works, Anas warned that embarking on investigative journalism could lead one to paying the supreme price. He however, stressed that while the voyage of investigative journalism may be unpalatable, the positive impact on society is remarkable and gratifying.
The face-masked journalist also implored higher institutions of learning in Africa and beyond to incorporate investigative journalism in their curriculum in order to properly groom students willing to venture into undercover reporting.
In his remarks, former managing director of Radio Kano Corporation, Halilu Getso, described fear as the main setback to investigative journalism in Africa, pointing out that for a journalist to venture into undercover reporting, he or she must be courageous, fearless and honest.
In his remarks earlier, the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies of BUK, Profe Umar Pate, said the workshop was one in the series of capacity enhancement activities on investigative journalism in the Faculty of Communication at the university.
Pate also revealed that the activities had begun in the last two and a half years with the support of MacArthur Foundation, saying, “So far, we have organised a series of lectures, workshops, curriculum review and internship activities, among others, to strengthen the teaching and practice of investigative journalism as tools for fighting corruption in the country.
“Not only that, the MacArthur support also includes scholarship grant to female students and establishment of digital radio station for our students to put what they learn in classrooms into practice.”
In a remark, vice chancellor, Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, said the workshop was part of the series of activities being implemented in the faculty with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, which gave the university the grant to strengthen the teaching and research of investigative and data-driven journalism to reduce the prevalence of corruption in the country.
The VC described Anas as a symbol of hope and integrity in Africa’s journalism having earned a global reputation for being a credible digger of facts, human rights activist, attorney at law and investigative journalist of outstanding character.
