The Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism (RCDIJ), a non-profit sister organisation to Ripples Nigeria, on Thursday, August 5th, held the 2021 edition of its annual data journalism masterclass for African journalists.
The masterclass which was held at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos had in attendance Journalists from Nigeria and across Africa.
A cross section of participants at the journalism masterclass
The 2021 edition saw Ripples Nigeria, Code for Africa, BudgIT, Tracka, The Journalism Clinic, and Jet Motor Company (JMC) partner with the centre to organise the specialised training.
The one-day training which ran from 9 am to 5 pm was attended by thirty (30) journalists strategically chosen from across the African continent with inclusiveness and diversity behind the selection process.
Ripples Nigeria Editor-in-Chief, Samuel Ibemere (m) with some participants.
Naija News reports that the journalists at the event were given first-class training and also granted access to learning resources to support their practice of data journalism in this year’s area of focus.
Journalists learning at the masterclass
Those at the masterclass to impact knowledge on journalists include veteran journalist and Founder/Director Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe; Head, Tracka (Budgit), Uadamen Ilevbaoje; Senior Data Product Manager at Code For Africa’s Knowledge Team, Tricia Govindasamy and Data Analyst at Code For Africa’s Knowledge Team, John Eromosele.
The journalism masterclass was hosted by RCDIJ Executive Director, Samuel Ibemere and RCDIJ Programme Director, Chinedu Chidi.
Veteran journalist Taiwo Obe presents a certificate to Naija News Publisher Mr Opemipo Olawale Adeniyi
Journalists and their audience
Speaking at the event, Taiwo Obe urged journalists to provide citizens with information to make the best decision.
According to the veteran journalist, the Audience must be served content that will make it worthwhile to spend their invaluable time.
On his part, Uadamen Ilevbaoje urged newsmen to collaborate with Tracka to monitor projects and push for positive changes in the society.
While urging members of the press to expose underdevelopment in their environment, he noted that it was also important to shed light on important developments.
Participants at the Data Journalism masterclass
Geo-Journalism
The team from Code for Africa – Eromosele and Govindasamy – brushed participants on geo-data and how to use that to make stories/reports more detailed.
Naija News Deputy Editor, Ogbolu George, receives his certificate.
Ripples Nigeria team
Naija News reports that the RCDIJ Data Journalism Masterclass has over the years covered wide-ranging areas of focus including Conflict Reporting, Migration Crisis Reporting, Public Sector Finance Reporting, Open Contracting, among others.
Naija News team at the Data Journalism masterclass
The centre has undertaken over hundred (100) impactful projects across Nigeria on different critical areas, including media, environment, security, corruption, health, climate change, development, democracy, elections, peace, education, migration, and resettlement since its launch in 2017.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News