Daily Trust Foundation Launches Journalism Academy to Strengthen Ethics, Digital Skills By Raymond Enoch

The Daily Trust Foundation (DTF) has launched a journalism academy aimed at strengthening ethical reporting, improving digital competencies and equipping media professionals with the skills to combat misinformation and promote accountability in Nigeria.

The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, is designed to bridge critical professional gaps in the media industry through structured, accessible and continuous training, as journalists grapple with the growing challenges of digital transformation, declining public trust and the proliferation of fake news.

Chairman of the Foundation, Malam Bilya Bala, disclosed this at the launch of the DTF Journalism Academy, explaining that the initiative emerged from lessons learned through the Foundation’s implementation of multi-year grants supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

According to Bala, the programmes exposed significant gaps in investigative journalism, specialised reporting, newsroom collaboration and digital skills, underscoring the need for a sustainable platform to support professional development across the media industry.

He noted that misinformation and declining public confidence in the media had made continuous learning indispensable to the survival and credibility of journalism.

Bala disclosed that the Foundation’s previous capacity-building initiatives had benefited more than 2,000 participants drawn from media organisations and civil society groups.

The programmes covered a broad range of subjects, including investigative journalism, education, energy, banking, agriculture, natural resources, crime and security, oil and gas, national budgeting and media management.

He explained that the new academy would consolidate the experience gained from these interventions while expanding access to professional training through both physical and online learning platforms.

A major component of the initiative is the DTF Digital Academy, an online learning platform available at dtfacademy.com.ng, which allows participants to study at their own pace, complete assessments and earn certificates upon successful completion of courses.

Beyond online learning, the Foundation plans to organise specialised workshops, webinars, conferences and public forums to deepen professional knowledge, encourage collaboration and promote the exchange of ideas among media practitioners.

Bala added that the academy would also strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, media organisations and development partners to broaden its reach and sustain its impact on journalism practice in Nigeria.

Publisher of Premium Times, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, commended the Foundation for establishing the academy, describing it as a timely intervention in an industry undergoing rapid technological transformation.

Olorunyomi argued that formal education alone could no longer adequately prepare journalists for the increasingly complex demands of modern newsrooms, stressing that continuous training and practical experience were essential to professional excellence.

He reaffirmed Premium Times’ commitment to working with the Foundation, expressing optimism that the academy would strengthen professional standards and create more opportunities for journalists to acquire relevant skills.

In his keynote address, Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikiliu Mojeed, challenged journalists to continually update their knowledge, verify information rigorously and uphold ethical standards in their pursuit of truth and accountability.

Mojeed cautioned that the determination to expose wrongdoing must not become an excuse for publishing unverified allegations or disregarding the standards of evidence required for responsible journalism.

He stressed that the credibility of investigative reporting depended not merely on the ability to uncover alleged misconduct but also on the discipline to verify claims, establish facts and present evidence fairly.

The Premium Times editor also urged media organisations to institutionalise professional learning by introducing mentorship programmes, knowledge-sharing sessions and constructive feedback mechanisms within their newsrooms.

He maintained that journalists needed more than training opportunities to produce quality work, calling on media managers to provide reporters with the resources, guidance and time necessary for thorough and accurate reporting.

Representing the MacArthur Foundation, Janet Gbam congratulated the Daily Trust Foundation on the initiative, describing the academy as an important opportunity to sustain professional journalism development beyond grant-funded interventions.

She highlighted the relationship between credible information, public trust and good governance, emphasising the importance of strengthening the media’s capacity to provide reliable information and hold institutions accountable.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Grace Ike, represented by Comrade Rosemary, also welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely amid the growing spread of fake news and concerns over declining professional standards.

She praised the Foundation for developing what she described as a well-tailored and accessible training programme, urging journalists to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their reporting skills and strengthen their professional capacity.

The NUJ representative pledged the union’s partnership with the Foundation in advancing ethical conduct, professional competence and responsible journalism.

Similarly, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, represented by Princess Joy Idam, pledged the association’s support for the academy.

Idam said NAWOJ would publicise the programme and encourage its members to enrol, particularly while the training remained free.

She described the initiative as an opportunity for journalists to enhance their professional skills and adapt to the changing demands of the media landscape.

In his remarks, the Programme Director of the Daily Trust Foundation, Dr Theophilus Abbah, called on media owners and managers of media platforms to encourage their reporters to enrol in the academy.

Abbah said the training would strengthen journalists’ ability to produce accurate, credible and valuable reports, ultimately contributing to improved public confidence in the media.

He emphasised the importance of institutional support in ensuring that journalists could translate the knowledge acquired through the academy into better newsroom practices and more responsible reporting.

The launch comes at a time when the Nigerian media faces mounting pressure to respond to the rapid spread of misinformation, the growing influence of digital platforms and heightened public expectations for accuracy, fairness and accountability.

As newsrooms adapt to new technologies and changing audience behaviour, initiatives such as the DTF Journalism Academy could provide a structured pathway for journalists to update their skills, deepen specialised knowledge and reinforce the ethical principles underpinning public-interest reporting.

Beyond improving individual competencies, the academy’s long-term significance will depend on its ability to foster a culture of continuous learning, strengthen collaboration across media organisations and translate professional training into measurable improvements in journalism practice.

For an industry whose credibility rests on public confidence, the central challenge remains ensuring that speed does not undermine accuracy, the pursuit of accountability does not compromise fairness, and digital innovation strengthens rather than weakens the standards of responsible journalism.