NUJ Trains Journalists on Accurate Court Reporting in Sokoto
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Sokoto State Council, has organised a one-day workshop aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity in accurate court reporting and ethical news writing.
The workshop, held on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre along Zuru Road in Sokoto, focused on the theme: “Accurate Court Reporting: A Pillar of Justice and Public Trust.”
Speaking during the training, media expert and Founder/CEO of ASHENEWS, Abdallah ELKUREBE, described judicial journalism as one of the most sensitive areas of reporting, stressing that a single error in a court story could damage reputations, mislead the public, or expose journalists and media organisations to legal consequences.
He explained that judicial journalism plays a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability and public confidence in the justice system by helping citizens understand court proceedings and legal decisions.
According to him, court reporting covers criminal cases, civil disputes, election petitions, corruption trials, constitutional matters and human rights cases, adding that judicial journalists serve as the bridge between the courts and the public.
ELKUREBE identified key qualities required of a good court reporter to include accuracy, patience, neutrality, professionalism, strong listening ability, note-taking skills and a sound understanding of legal terminology.
He also highlighted the structure of Nigeria’s judicial system, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, State High Courts, Magistrate Courts, Sharia Courts and Customary Courts.
The trainer advised journalists covering court proceedings to understand basic legal terms such as plaintiff, defendant, counsel, conviction, acquittal, adjournment and appeal in order to avoid reporting errors.
He stressed the importance of the principle of presumption of innocence, warning journalists against describing suspects as criminals before conviction by a competent court.
“Using proper legal language protects journalists from defamation and contempt issues,” he said.
The presentation also addressed ethical and legal challenges in court reporting, including contempt of court, defamation, publication of unverified information and sensational headlines capable of prejudicing judicial proceedings.
ELKUREBE urged journalists to always verify names, dates and facts before publication and avoid emotional or biased reporting.
He further encouraged reporters to arrive early at court sessions, maintain detailed notes, study previous judgments and remain calm and professional while covering proceedings.
The workshop also examined the growing influence of digital and social media in judicial reporting, cautioning journalists against sacrificing accuracy for speed in online publications.
Participants were reminded that responsible court reporting remains essential to democracy because it promotes accountability, transparency and public trust in the legal system.
