Journalists covering the Oyo State House of Assembly gathered on Thursday for a capacity-building workshop centered on Solutions Journalism, a practice aimed at reversing traditional news reportage patterns across the state.
The intensive training session aimed to bridge existing coverage gaps, combat audience exhaustion, and strengthen strategic media leadership in the region. Held at the Correspondents’ Chapel Secretariat in Ibadan, the event provided local reporters with practical tools to elevate routine beats into high-impact coverage.
Isaac Olufemi Ojo facilitated the workshop. Ojo is a dedicated participant in the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) March 2026 Train-the-Trainer cohort. Speaking on the theme, “Introduction to Solutions Journalism,” he led an interactive session dissecting how contemporary media in Oyo State remains heavily dominated by “problem-screaming” headlines.
He noted that the continuous emphasis on negative narratives causes widespread news fatigue while taking a measurable toll on reader mental health.
To underscore the urgent need for a media shift, Ojo shared a viral editorial note written by a five-year-old reader named Maya. In her letter, the young girl detailed the heavy psychological burden of relentless bad news. She called directly on newsrooms to publish constructive stories, uplifting features, and lighthearted content to ease daily reader distress.
Ojo drew directly from the field experiences of the attending reporters to break down the core pillars of the discipline. He highlighted four essential components that define the model: response, evidence, insights, and limitations.
He urged media practitioners to adhere strictly to these four pillars during their routine assignments. Adhering to this framework clearly distinguishes constructive reporting from public relations, hero-worship, and cheap propaganda.
Overcoming Barriers to Solutions Journalism
During the open floor session, participating reporters raised valid concerns about adopting new editorial frameworks. Mr. David Bello of Lagelu FM and Mr. Adekunle Adegboyega of Parrot Xtra Magazine highlighted practical operational challenges that could slow down implementation in fast-paced daily reporting. Responding to their queries, Ojo clarified common grey areas. He assured the room that embedding evidence-based reporting elevates routine legislative coverage into deep, actionable journalism.
Why News Reportage Must Adapt in Oyo State
Media professionals across Oyo State are recognizing that traditional crisis-driven reporting no longer serves the public interest on its own. By incorporating rigorous investigative methods into constructive stories, reporters can hold institutions accountable while offering real answers to systemic social issues.
The workshop drew active participation from prominent media professionals across the state, including Mosope Kehinde from FRCN, Ibukun-Jesu Adeogodiran from Noble FM, Mubarak Abimbola from Prince FM, and Ishola Ridwan from Apollo Media. The attendees expressed commitment to implementing the framework in their respective newsrooms immediately.
